Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety includes several disorders that cause intrusive, persistent, and distressing fears and worries. There are several different types of anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias. 

Anxiety disorders are different from the usual reactions to stress or potential danger that everyone experiences occasionally. Your symptoms last longer and are often disproportionate to the situation causing them. Anxiety disorders can get in the way of your ability to function normally and complete your daily responsibilities. 

Medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause for anxiety disorders. However, your risk of anxiety increases if you have another mental health condition like depression or a family history of mental health conditions. A personal record of trauma, abuse, neglect, or poverty can also increase your risk of anxiety.

What are the common symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety disorders cause a wide range of mental, emotional, and physical symptoms. Some of the standard warning signs of anxiety include:

• Having intrusive, uncontrollable, and distressing nervousness, fears, or worries
• Feeling on-edge or restless
• Reduced concentration
• Increased irritability
• Muscle tension 
• Insomnia 
• Trembling
• Sweating 

If you have panic disorder, you experience panic attacks. During a panic attack, you have several sudden overwhelming symptoms, including heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and feelings of impending doom or being out of control. 

How is anxiety treated?

The team at Live Well Psychiatry begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms, mental and physical health, and lifestyle. They use research-level surveys to diagnose your condition correctly the first time and create a highly-personalized treatment plan. Most treatment plans include:

Medication

The team can prescribe medication to relieve your anxiety symptoms. While medication can take several weeks to provide a noticeable change, your symptoms should subside gradually. 

Counseling

Counseling can help you learn to identify the early warning signs of anxiety. You can then learn and practice strategies to prevent your worries or fears from spiraling out of control. You can practice mindfulness to keep yourself focused on the present moment. Your therapist might use cognitive behavioral therapy to help you learn to regulate your negative thoughts and feelings. 

While Live Well Psychiatry does not offer counseling services in-house, they can refer you to a qualified provider.

Lifestyle modifications

The team at Live Well Psychiatry can help you improve your overall health, making it easier to cope with anxiety. They might recommend adjusting your diet or adding physical activity to your daily routine. Some patients benefit from yoga or meditation to practice calming and quieting their minds. 

Call Live Well Psychiatry today if any of these symptoms sound familiar or if you feel like anxiety is disrupting your health or quality of life.