Millions of Americans struggle with anxiety, a mental illness that causes excessive worry, uneasiness, or fear and makes it hard for them to operate normally in everyday life. Physical manifestations may manifest as palpitations, shaking, sweating, nausea, vertigo, and difficulty breathing. Sadness, impatience, restlessness, trouble concentrating, and insomnia are just some of how worry can impair one’s attitude, behavior, and cognitive processes.
New research from Mental Health America rates Texas at #39 out of the 50 states and DC in terms of adult mental health. This suggests that Texans face a greater burden of mental illness and have less access to treatment than their counterparts in other states. With 22.8% of adults experiencing frequent anxiety that interferes with their lives, above the national average of 19.5%, Texas likewise has the highest anxiety rates, according to the survey.
The study delves further into anxiety rates in Texas cities, ranking Houston at 25.9%, Dallas at 24.7%, San Antonio at 23.9%, Austin at 22.4%, and Fort Worth at 21.8%. Only 16.9% of adults in El Paso say they suffer from frequent anxiety, the lowest incidence in the entire state.
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Root Causes and Effects
The Money Factor: Economically, Texas has a lot of problems: the state’s poverty rate is 13.6%, which is higher than the national average of 10.5%. Stress, uncertainty, and a lack of resources all contribute to a higher risk of anxiety in people living in poverty. In addition, with the nation’s highest uninsured rate at 18.4%, the state may see a reduction in funding for mental health services and an increase in the cost of medical care overall.
Environmental Factors: Natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and droughts cause emotional distress, physical harm, and the loss of life and possessions in Texas. Disruption to communities and individuals caused by these events increases fear and doubt. Consider the over $125 billion in losses caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which impacted more than 13 million Texans. The 2020–2021 COVID-19 pandemic was devastating to the economy and the well-being of Texans, both physically and psychologically.
Cultural Mix: Hispanic or Latino people make up 39.7 percent of Texas’s population, while Black or African American people account for 11.8 percent, Asian people for 5.2 percent, and American Indian or Alaska Native people for 0.5 percent. There are benefits to a diverse culture, but there are also drawbacks, such as difficulties communicating due to language issues or dealing with racism, prejudice, or stigma. Hispanic and Black adults in Texas are less likely to obtain mental health treatment compared to White adults, according to studies.
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Some Proactive Measures
There are several individual, neighborhood, and statewide initiatives in Texas that aim to reduce anxiety and its symptoms:
- Extending the accessibility and affordability of mental health services can address the needs of individuals dealing with anxiety by improving the quality and accessibility of mental health care. Improving the mental health workforce, expanding coverage, and incorporating mental health services into primary care are all part of the solution.
- Those who suffer from anxiety might find relief and a full recovery with the support of their social and environmental networks. Building strong relationships, providing both material and emotional support, and establishing a welcoming and accepting work environment are all part of this.
- To lessen the social stigma that surrounds anxiety and other mental health concerns, it is important to increase both public and professional understanding of these topics. By doing so, more individuals will be able to identify the symptoms of anxiety in themselves and others and get the assistance they need.
Final Words
To sum up, anxiety is a major problem in Texas, impacting Texans and the state overall. Many things, such as societal, ecological, and cultural variables, might affect it. Texans can take steps to improve their mental health and overall well-being by raising awareness about mental health issues, expanding access to treatment, and strengthening social and environmental support.