Managing Anxiety During the Measles Outbreak in Texas

As measles cases continue to rise in Texas, so too can public anxiety. News alerts, social media discussions and warnings from health officials can trigger stress and unease, especially among worried parents.

“Measles isn’t supposed to be a concern, right?” Dallas resident Hope Howard, a parent of a 1-year-old, told The Dallas Morning News earlier this month. “I shouldn’t feel like I have to worry about it right now, but I do.”

Understanding Anxiety and Stress

Stress and anxiety are normal responses to threatening or worrisome situations, said Eric Wood, director of counseling and mental health at Texas Christian University. But these emotions can become overwhelming when fueled by uncertainty around one’s health or that of friends and family.

When a person has health or illness anxiety, which is marked by excessive worrying about getting sick, the feeling can be more intense than that of anxiety related to work or relationships, Wood said.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic is an example of how news around a spreading disease can take a toll on mental health.

A 2022 scientific briefing from the World Health Organization found the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25% during the first year of the pandemic.

Mickie Palmer, 6, of Carrollton, watches as a nurse prepares a dose of the measles, mumps and rubella virus vaccine at a pop-up clinic at the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Administration Building in Carrollton, Texas, on Friday, March 7, 2025.
(Liz Rymarev / Staff Photographer)

A 2021 study out of Boston College found that reports of anxiety among adult Americans increased to 37% and depression to 29% by November 2020, four times higher than what was reported in surveys collected in 2019. Adults between ages 18 and 29 were hit the hardest: Reports of anxiety increased to 43% and depression to 37%. Later surveys showed anxiety and depression levels tapering off slightly over the course of the pandemic.

Managing Anxiety Around Measles

The anxiety around measles may therefore feel all too familiar, according to Shaun Richardson, an Irving-based licensed professional counselor with the mental health provider Thriveworks.

“A lot of it is the idea of uncertainty, not being in control of certain aspects of life, especially with measles and any other type of diseases,” Richardson said.

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Physical symptoms of anxiety can include excessive sweating, feeling ill or lightheaded and insomnia, Richardson said.

A person may also experience difficulty breathing or muscle tension, the latter aligned with a more heightened anxiety response, Wood added.

Rumination and Anxiety

Regularly dwelling on negative thoughts — or rumination — is another manifestation of anxiety and can significantly impact a person’s well-being, Wood said.

“When [anxiety] gets too much, part of this is the rumination, when you have a thought in your mind you can’t get rid of,” Wood said. “If you’re ruminating on [your anxiety], spending like 75% or 80% of your thought life, that’s not adaptive.”

A vial of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is on display at the Lubbock Health Department Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon, File)
(Mary Conlon / AP)

Coping with Anxiety During the Measles Outbreak

There are steps you can take to manage your mental health during Texas’ ongoing measles outbreak.

Richardson said knowing your vaccination status or getting vaccinated can offer assurance that you’re protected against the virus. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine provides lifelong immunity that is over 95% effective at preventing measles infection.

Wood recommended investing in regular self-care and connecting with loved ones or your wider social network.

“You need to do self-care, which is mainly anything that gives you a break from the anxiety,” Wood said. “That could be getting enough support from your family, your friends, things that actually make you feel good.”

Additionally, getting involved in public health efforts can foster a sense of purpose and empowerment that can counteract feelings of hopelessness that often accompany anxiety, Wood said.

“If you’re in a community and you’re worried about measles, but then you volunteer with an organization, that is probably a big way to shift your perspective on things,” he said.

Seeking Mental Health Support

If you feel your anxiety is getting too severe despite your best efforts, Wood and Richardson both recommend seeking mental