Addressing Anxiety

Would you be surprised to hear that anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States, afflicting nearly 20 percent of the population, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America? While anxiety disorders are highly treatable, just over one-third of sufferers seek help.

To that end, the U.S. Preventative Series Task Force, a group of independent medical experts, now recommends screenings adults ages 18 to 64 for anxiety—including during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This is the first time the organization has recommended anxiety screenings.

Supporting Your Kids’ Mental Health

The pandemic has not been kind to kids’ mental health and wellness, increasing everything from depression and anxiety to substance abuse to issues with sleeping and eating. Isolation and uncertainty as well as lack of access to care during the heart of the pandemic have contributed to a growing mental health epidemic among kids, tweens and teens. Check out the signs to watch for and resources for help.

Tuning in to Your Mental Health

We are living through challenging times, and we know many people are experiencing depression, anxiety and stress. This not only impacts mental health, but it can take a toll on your physical well-being and may warrant a conversation with your healthcare provider.

“Be Your Best Self” Event

Clinic Sofia is so proud to be working with TeamWomen, a Twin Cities-based leadership organization that brings women together for unique networking and educational events. We recently hosted the first of two “Be Your Best Self” events where Physician Assistant Allie Nowak, Dr. Amy Hammers and Dr. David Clay discussed “common concerns among young professionals.”

Ask Sofia: How do I handle post-election stress?

“We’ve been hearing about fear, anxiety and sadness from our patients throughout this particularly contentious election cycle,’” said Jennifer Knapp, nurse practitioner at Clinic Sofia. “Patients talk about newly strained relationships, concerns for their children’s future and many other topics that surfaced during the recent election. Our first objective is to listen to every patient without judgment – Clinic Sofia is a safe environment where you can express any thoughts and concerns.”