Anxiety Disorders often involve persistent, sometimes even obsessive worry or fear that is typically out of proportion to the situation triggering the anxiety response. They can disrupt work, relationships and other common, ordinary activities of daily living.
We provide targeted therapies to help manage symptoms and restore peace of mind. Our comprehensive treatment options can help reestablish emotional balance and improve overall quality of life, not only for the patient but oftentimes for friends and especially family members. Anxiety Disorders often have a pervasive impact on everyone connected to the patient’s life.
An Anxiety Disorder is a type of mental health condition characterized by worry, fear, restlessness or tension that can feel uncontrollable. An individual with an Anxiety Disorder not only feels nervous but may have a strong sense of impending danger or doom. The condition is often marked by symptoms like trembling, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, sweating, digestive upset and difficulty concentrating.
Unlike normal stress or worry, Anxiety Disorders are not temporary or easily resolved. These conditions can begin in childhood or adolescence, last for months or years and worsen over time. Eventually, sufferers begin to avoid anything that might trigger anxiety.
There are several different types of Anxiety Disorders that manifest with different symptoms and triggers. Common Anxiety Disorders include:
Our first step is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation to arrive at an accurate diagnosis through interviews and assessments. With certain Anxiety Disorders, psychiatrists may request a workup from your primary care provider or feel it is necessary to do a physical exam, order lab tests or ask questions about your medical health because anxiety can often be linked to an underlying physical health problem. The symptoms can mimic those of a medical condition or be triggered by a medical condition.
Medical conditions that are often connected to Anxiety Disorders may include:
When we see a sudden onset of anxiety in a patient that has no history of mental health issues, we always explore the possibility of an underlying medical cause.
Once a proper diagnosis is established, then we develop an individualized treatment plan that may involve any one or a combination of treatments. Each individual’s experience of anxiety is unique, and different people respond to different treatment methods. We create customized treatment plans for each of our patients to relieve symptoms and achieve individual goals and long-term results.
Medications and psychotherapy are often the first-line treatment approaches for Anxiety Disorders. A psychiatrist can prescribe effective psychotropic medications to relieve the symptoms of anxiety. Many patients with anxiety can be helped through therapy along with medication, while some opt for therapy or medication as standalone treatments. Other natural and supplement-based approaches – along with a variety of emerging treatments – can be explored as well.
Medications can play a critical role in improving Anxiety Disorders. However, not all psychotropic medications have the same effects or are tolerated in the same way by different patients. For rapid, short-term relief, we may use benzodiazepines. Some of the first-line medications commonly prescribed for long-term management include:
Other treatment options include:
It is crucial to monitor medications, their side effects, and how they impact symptoms. Psychiatrists also consider possible interactions with other medications or supplements. Co-existing conditions – both medical and psychiatric – are also evaluated. Psychiatric Medication Management and is an essential role a psychiatrist must assume in treating Anxiety Disorders.
Finding the right medication is not a simple process, and patience is essential. Patients may need to try several medications or a combination of medications before landing on one that works. Certain medications need several weeks or longer to have full effect and for side effects to ease as the body adjusts.
Inherited traits play a role in how certain medications affect you. If a family member has responded well to a specific treatment, it may work well for you. Additional variables other than genetics can affect your response to medication.
It’s important to remember that stopping treatment abruptly or missing several doses can cause withdrawal-like symptoms, and quitting suddenly may cause a sudden worsening of symptoms or even trigger suicidal ideation. Patients should always work closely with a psychiatrist to gradually and safely decrease medication.
There is valuable medical insight a psychiatrist brings to therapy that is beneficial in and of itself, even if you do not need or want medication-based treatment. Understanding how medical conditions or medications might be contributing to or even causing your Anxiety Disorder is just one example of how this insight can benefit treatment.
We offer holistic care, designed for your needs. If you need therapy and medication, together, hat is available. Some people seek to begin with both with the hope of transitioning off of medication eventually. However, if you are seeking medication management alone, that can be our focus. Likewise, you may not have an interest in medication and be seeking counseling alone.
Psychiatrists are trained and qualified to offer both psychotherapy and medication management. Some psychiatrists focus primarily on medication management, with shorter, medication-focused visits, relying on other therapists for talk therapy. We focus on providing options that work for you.
We often see Anxiety Disorders in multiple family members, and Collaborative Family Care is available as a treatment option that can address not only the symptoms of Anxiety Disorders but the impact of family dynamics on the experience of anxiety. Anxiety Disorders often have a pervasive impact on everyone connected to the patient’s life. Our comprehensive treatment options can help reestablish emotional balance and improve overall quality of life, not only for the patient but oftentimes for family members.
Sometimes a deficiency in B-12 can be an underlying cause of excess anxiety. Other times, an individual may be taking supplements that trigger anxiety, and they need to be discontinued. Natural and supplement-based approaches in psychiatric treatment use vitamins, herbs and nutrients to support mental health along with more conventional treatments.
Even with seemingly innocuous supplementation, however, it is important to receive professional guidance from a psychiatrist regarding the use of all supplements to avoid potential supplement-medication interactions.
Focusing on holistic wellness through other natural and lifestyle avenues like diet and nutrition, better sleep, healthy movement, sunlight, supplements and mind-body practices (e.g., yoga, meditation, acupuncture and more) can help to manage certain mental health conditions like anxiety.
Inpatient hospitalization for Anxiety Disorders may be considered when symptoms become acute and pose an immediate risk to safety or wellbeing. If a patient experiences severe anxiety – especially if behavior becomes a threat to the patient or other people – hospitalization may become necessary until symptoms improve. A severe inability to function in one or more arenas of life, including work, school, relationships, parenting, etc., may precipitate hospitalization. Increasing severity or new types of symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, etc.) may also require an inpatient stay.
Once the psychological evaluation is complete and an initial diagnosis is made, family involvement and active participation in treatment for anxiety will be particularly important, not only for child or adolescent patients, but for adults as well.
Especially with Psychiatric Medication Management, family members and individuals who interact with the patient closely can provide invaluable feedback on how well the medication is working for symptom management, as well as any side effects they have noted.
The patient’s primary psychiatric provider will be able to address questions as long-term and short-term treatment goals are developed, with the consent of the patient, when necessary.
Whether you need psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle adjustments or holistic, natural approaches for your anxiety, it is essential to have ongoing monitoring and follow-up with a qualified psychiatrist. Treatment for Anxiety Disorders can play a life-changing role in your mental wellness and overall quality of life. Call ☎ (773) 594-9944 or contact us online for consultations.
