【VOA慢速】美国专家建议对成年人进行焦虑症

　　An influential health guidelines group in the United States says doctors should test adult patients for anxiety, as part of usual care.美国一个颇具影响力的健康指南组织表示，医生应该对成年患者进行焦虑症测试，作为常规护理的一部分。The U.S.Preventive Services Task Force is an independent group of healthcare experts serving as volunteers.美国预防服务工作组是一个由医疗专家志愿者组成的独立组织。The group advises anxiety testing for everyone from age 18 to 65.该组织建议对18岁至65岁的人进行焦虑症测试。The group began its review on anxiety before the COVID-19 pandemic.该组织在新冠疫情爆发之前就开始进行焦虑症评估。However, given the increase in mental health problems with the pandemic, the new guidance is "very timely," said Lori Pbert.然而，Lori Pbert说，考虑到疫情带来的心理健康问题的增加，新的指南是“非常及时的”。As a member of the task force, Pbert is also a psychologist and researcher at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.作为该工作组的一员，Pbert也是马萨诸塞大学陈医学院的心理学家和研究员。A story from the Associated Press on the task force's new guidelines states that anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems.美联社的一篇关于该工作组新指南的报道称，焦虑症是最常见的心理健康问题之一。The task force notes that about 40 percent of American women are affected by anxiety at some point in their lives.该工作组指出，大约40%的美国女性在人生中的某个阶段会受到焦虑症的影响。About one in 10 pregnant women and those who have just given birth experience anxiety.大约十分之一的孕妇和刚刚分娩的女性会感到焦虑。Also, anxiety disorder affects more than one in four men in the United States此外，在美国，超过四分之一的男性受到焦虑症的影响。Worldwide, anxiety is also on the rise -- especially among women.在全世界，焦虑症患者的数量也在上升--尤其是女性。Back in early March, the World Health Organization released a report on the situation of mental health disorders.早在3月初，世界卫生组织就发布了一份关于心理健康障碍状况的报告。That report states that in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety and depression increased by 25 percent around the world.该报告指出，在新冠疫情的第一年，全球患有焦虑症和抑郁症的人的数量增加了25%。Anxiety can show as panic attacks, nervousness, and heightened fear.焦虑症的表现为恐慌症发作、紧张和高度恐惧。Common testing tools include answering questions about symptoms during a primary care doctor visit, the task force said.该工作组表示，常见的检测工具包括在初级保健医生就诊时回答有关症状的问题。One such question is "How often do fears and worries affect your usual activities?"其中一个问题是“恐惧和担忧多久影响一次你的日常活动？”The task force did not say how often patients should be tested.该工作组没有说明患者应该多长时间接受一次测试。Pbert said it is also important to understand that more than testing is necessary to identify an anxiety disorder.Pbert说，同样重要的是要明白，识别焦虑症需要的不仅仅是测试。The next step, she said, is a thorough examination by a mental health professional.她说，下一步是由心理健康专业人员进行全面检查。Pbert also noted that finding good care can be difficult.Pbert还指出，找到好的护理可能很困难。Currently in the U.S.there are shortages in the mental health care industry.目前在美国，心理健康护理行业存在短缺。Megan Whaler is a 31-year-old from Hoboken, New Jersey.31岁的梅根·惠勒来自新泽西州霍博肯。In 2013, she was identified as having anxiety disorder.2013年，她被确认患有焦虑症。Whaler says doctors should test mental health as commonly as physical health.惠勒说，医生应该像检查身体健康一样检查心理健康。"Health is health," said Whalen, "whether the problem is visible or not."“健康就是健康，”惠勒说，“无论问题是否可见。”She has gotten help from medicine and talk therapy.她得到了药物和谈话治疗的帮助。However, her symptoms worsened during the pandemic, and she temporarily moved back to her parent's home.然而，她的症状在疫情期间恶化了，她暂时搬回了父母家。"The pandemic made me afraid to leave home -- my anxiety telling me anywhere outside of my childhood house was unsafe," Whelan said.惠勒说：“疫情让我不敢离开家--焦虑症告诉我，在我童年居住的房子以外的任何地方都是不安全的。”She says she is still struggling.她说，她仍在挣扎。The task force said there is not enough research on older adults to suggest anxiety testing in those older than 65.该工作组表示，目前针对老年人的研究还不够多，不足以建议对65岁以上的老人进行焦虑症测试。In April, the group issued similar guidance for children.今年4月，该组织针对儿童发布了类似的指南。General, or primary, care doctors in the U.S.already know of the increasing cases of anxiety.美国的普通或初级保健医生已经知道越来越多的焦虑症病例。In 2020, a group connected with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggested that anxiety testing be part of usual care for patients starting at age 13.2020年，一个与美国妇产科学院有关的组织建议，从13岁开始，焦虑测试应该成为患者常规护理的一部分。Melissa Lewis-Duarte is a 42-year-old wellness coach and mother of three in Scottsdale, Arizona.梅丽莎·刘易斯-杜阿尔特是亚利桑那州斯科茨代尔的一名42岁的健康教练，也是三个孩子的母亲。She says deep, steady breathing, practicing meditation, stating things for which she is thankful have all helped her anxiety.她说，深呼吸，稳定呼吸，练习冥想，说出她感激的事情，这些都帮助缓解了焦虑。"Doctors say 'make sure you're sleeping' 'control your stress'," she said, noting that it can be difficult to put self-care first....“医生说‘确保你在睡觉’……‘控制你的压力，’“她说，并指出把自我照顾放在首位可能很难。"But," she added, "that (is) what (is) necessary."“但是，”她补充说，“这是必要的。”I'm Anna Matteo.安娜·马特奥为您播报。

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