The most recent Coronavirus crisis has had great effects in most areas of our lives and has led us to a state of confinement which has been difficult to assimilate for both young people and adults.

In this regard, our Medical Director and Internist, Gary T. Midelton, MD, who has more than 20 years of experience in medical practice, informed us about one of the most likely situations to occur due to the crisis, anxiety.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a state of excessive concern which is difficult to control. It is usually identified because it causes persistent distress most of the time, in addition to irritability, difficulty sleeping, muscle tension especially in the upper back and neck, abdominal pains, fatigue, restlessness and difficulty when concentrating.

Is it considered a disease?

Absolutely! It is a disease associated with traumatic experiences experienced during childhood. It can also be triggered for reasons such as gender, socioeconomic status, lack of emotional support, inheritance or recent crises. Within the latter, we can include the Coronavirus crisis because the constant changes that have occurred can affect many people who were not emotionally prepared to deal with them.

How can this disease be treated?

Both treatment and prevention of the disease should be managed by a Psychologist through cognitive behavioral therapy or in some cases of greater difficulty with medicines. Only a Psychologist has the ability to ascertain the right treatment for each person. Every case is different.

Once the treatment is done, can you suffer from anxiety again?

This situation depends on the circumstances that caused the disorder in the first place. If a person suffers anxiety about a specific problem that will be solved in the future, then it can be cured once that solution is reached, but if it is a chronic disorder, the symptoms and severity of them fluctuate throughout the patient’s life.

At what point should you seek professional help?

It is very important to be aware of emotions. When the symptoms described above interfere with a normal lifestyle, seek the advice of a general practitioner, psychologist or psychiatrist to make an assessment.

Can cannabinoids be used in the treatment of anxiety?

The authorized uses of cannabinoids in New York State are specific and anxiety is not part of them. It could be used if the final diagnosis is post-traumatic stress, but this constitutes a different disease or disorder.

With this interview, we intend to remind the Latino community that at Formé, we have different specialty providers who are willing to accompany them during any medical situations they will face. Call us at 914-723-4900 and receive more information about our services.

At Formé, our mission, your health!