CNN’s Valencia reveals diagnosis for anxiety disorder, depression: ‘Pandemic brought it all back’

CNN correspondent Nick Valencia on Monday said he was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression earlier this year, and that the coronavirus pandemic “brought it all back.”

Valencia, who is based at the cable network’s headquarters in Atlanta, also said that “if you feel alone, you’re not,” as most Americans continue to be under stay-at-home orders.

“I was diagnosed w/ anxiety disorder, depression, & PTS in January. I’d been managing it, then the coronavirus pandemic brought it all back. I know even those w/o a diagnosis have struggled. I got into journalism to help people. If you feel alone right now, you’re not. I’m here 2,” tweeted Valencia, who joined CNN in 2006 as a teleprompter operator before moving to reporting.

I was diagnosed w/ anxiety disorder, depression, & PTS in January. I’d been managing it, then the coronavirus pandemic brought it all back. I know even those w/o a diagnosis have struggled. I got into journalism to help people. If you feel alone right now, you’re not. I’m here 2.

— Nick Valencia (@CNNValencia) April 20, 2020

Health experts have warned of a spike in depression and anxiety due to the uncertainty, fear and isolation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is a new challenge and the most worrying aspect is the uncertainty,” Alexander Sanchez, a psychiatrist based in New York City, told ABC News earlier this month. “I expect an increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms to come when the experience of social distancing and isolation becomes more routine.”

The U.S. death toll from the novel coronavirus surpassed 40,000 over the weekend, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker. Some states are looking to slowly reopen their economies.