I’m Dr. Russell Gregory, a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician at the Bradley County Medical Center Rural Health Clinic in Warren. I’m a recent graduate of the UAMS Southwest Family Medicine Residency Program in Texarkana, Arkansas.
A couple weeks ago, Dr. Bradley Biggers opened our Community Health Column with an important discussion about high blood pressure and why it matters. This week, I’d like to continue the conversation by turning to another common but often overlooked health concern: Anxiety.
We all experience stress. Stress is a normal response to life’s pressures—work, finances, family problems, health concerns, or major life changes. Usually, stress is tied to a specific situation and improves when that situation improves. Anxiety is different. Anxiety can linger even when there is no clear danger, feel excessive, be hard to control, and begin to affect your sleep, concentration, energy, and day-to-day life.
What does anxiety feel like?
Anxiety is not just “worrying too much.” It can show up in both the mind and the body. People may notice:
Constant worry
Feeling restless, tense, or on edge
Irritability
Trouble concentrating
Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Fatigue
Headaches, muscle tension, nausea, dizziness, sweating, a racing heart, or shortness of breath
That is one reason anxiety gets overlooked. Many people think they are simply tired, overworked, or dealing with “just stress,” when in reality anxiety is affecting how they feel physically and emotionally.
When is it more than “just stress”?
It may be time to talk with your doctor if:
The worry feels out of proportion to the situation
You cannot seem to turn it off
It is affecting your sleep, work, school, relationships, or daily routine
You are starting to avoid places, responsibilities, or situations because of fear
The symptoms keep happening even after life has settled down
The worry is hanging around most days for months, not just a bad week or two.
What can help?
The good news is that anxiety is treatable. Treatment may include counseling, therapy, medication, or a combination of these. Many people also improve with better sleep, regular physical activity, limiting caffeine, reducing alcohol, and learning healthier ways to manage stress before it builds up.
Many people wait too long to ask for help because they think they should just push through it. But anxiety is not weakness, and it is not something you have to white-knuckle your way through. Getting help early can make a real difference!
Here at BCMC Rural Health Clinic, we also have an on-site Behavioral Health Provider, Tiffany Wargo, APRN, who is available to help patients who may be struggling with anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health concerns.
When should you reach out right away?
Talk to your doctor if anxiety is becoming frequent, hard to control, or interfering with daily life. Seek urgent help right away if you are in emotional crisis or having thoughts of self-harm. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by call or text, and it is free and confidential.
Bottom line:
Stress is part of life. Anxiety can be too. But when worry becomes constant, overwhelming, or starts interfering with your ability to live your life, it may be time to seek help.
If you have questions, come see us at 304 E Central in Warren, AR. You can call (870) 226-8636 for an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome.
BCMC Rural Health Clinic: Where Healthcare Close to Home Matters
— Dr. Gregory
