This discussion is a reaction to Laura Turner’s article on accepting anxiety as normal pressure in modern life. The writer is a former publisher turned author working on different books on anxiety. She acknowledges that individuals are stressed by social, economic, and political pressure present in modern societies (Turner). Anxiety includes moments of absolute fear, attracts severe reactions to issues, and has long been treated using the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) procedure. The article introduces the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework of dealing with recurring mental health challenges. The ACT approach helps reduce extreme cases of anxiety among patients with low-income levels inhibiting access to quality CBT medical services.
Mental health is a global challenge which requires a sustainable medical approach to reducing related death cases among affected patients. The CBT framework has enhanced therapeutic procedures intended to improve mental health challenges, including anxiety (Jeffcoat and Steven 75). Individuals commit suicide due to mental health issues, which include anxiety (Bolster and Azi 442). I believe that patients should have equal access to medical care to improve mental health. The traditional approach to fighting stress has proven to be both expensive and time-consuming, as discussed in the article (Turner). Individuals who lack access to mental health professionals should consider the ACT framework for dealing with extreme fear and reactions to simple issues.
In conclusion, anxiety is a crucial determinant of the mental health state among individuals in communities with social pressure, such as the United States. The article presents vital information on a useful framework for addressing anxiety called the ACT. Individuals with low incomes should consider the model as its significance is evidenced in improved decisions among patients. The article also includes information on the ineffectiveness of traditional therapies to overcome anxiety. By contrast, the acceptance approach would help improve the cognitive abilities of individuals facing anxiety as a mental health illness.
Works Cited
Bolster, AndrĂ©, and Azi Berzengi. “Hope in the Face of Despair: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Approach to Working with Suicidal Ideation in Men.” The Palgrave Handbook of Male Psychology and Mental Health, edited by John A. Barry, Roger Kingerlee, Martin Seager and Luke Sullivan, Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2019, pp. 439-459.
Jeffcoat, Tami, and Steven C. Hayes. “Psychologically Flexible Self-Acceptance.” The Strength of Self-Acceptance, edited by Michael E. Bernard, Springer, New York, 2013, pp. 73-92.
Turner, Laura. “This is a Good Time to Stop Fighting Anxiety.” New York Times, 2020, Web.