News

First, it was the checkbook.

Sue Jameson, 84, from Chillicothe, Missouri, was meticulous in balancing the family finances. One day in 2020, her husband, Douglas, noticed she hadn’t made any entries for several months.

He then started to notice Sue’s recurring memory issues, which came with a scary moment when she fell asleep while driving. She drove off the road but regained consciousness before safely driving back home. While relieved, her family had growing concerns. 

Distinguishing between everyday worry and an anxiety disorder can be difficult since they share some similar symptoms. However, there are key differences to help identify when worry may be more than just a natural response to life’s challenges. Key differences to consider include:

Frequency and intensity. Normal worry is typically situational and temporary, tied to specific events or challenges. Anxiety disorders involve persistent, excessive worry that is difficult to control and can occur frequently, even without an obvious reason.