Birmingham Think and Drink: Roundtable Discussion on Anxiety and America

There has been a lot of discussion over the last several years about the rise of anxiety in the US. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as "an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure." Anxiety seems to have become the defining emotion of the age, whether it's economic anxiety, social anxiety, career anxiety, etc.

What is leading to this rise in anxiety? How is it impacting individuals, communities, and the nation? Do you see anxiety as a growing issue? How do you see anxiety manifesting itself in our broader culture? What might be some potential solutions to this rise in anxiety?

A couple of interesting reads to frame the conversation:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/10/style/anxiety-is-the-new-depression-xanax.html

https://theconversation.com/americans-are-more-anxious-than-before-96318

Hope you can join us!