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Anxiety Disorders

What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive worry, fear, or nervousness that interfere with daily life. While occasional anxiety is normal, individuals with an anxiety disorder experience persistent symptoms that are difficult to control and can lead to significant distress.

Common Types

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic, excessive worry about multiple areas of life.

  • Panic Disorder: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with physical symptoms (e.g., heart palpitations, shortness of breath).

  • Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of social or performance situations.

  • Specific Phobias: Irrational fear of a specific object or situation (e.g., heights, flying).

  • Separation Anxiety Disorder: Excessive fear of being apart from attachment figures.

Signs & Symptoms

  • Physical: Racing heart, sweating, trembling, gastrointestinal upset, dizziness

  • Cognitive: Persistent worry, difficulty concentrating, catastrophic thinking

  • Behavioral: Avoidance of feared situations, frequent reassurance-seeking, restlessness

Causes & Risk Factors

  • Genetics: Family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions

  • Brain Chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA

  • Environmental Stressors: Trauma, chronic stress, major life changes

  • Personality Traits: High sensitivity, perfectionism, or behavioral inhibition

Diagnosis & Assessment

A thorough evaluation by one of our licensed providers includes:

  1. Clinical Interview: Exploration of symptom history, triggers, and impact on daily functioning.

  2. Standardized Questionnaires: Tools like the GAD-7 or Beck Anxiety Inventory to measure severity.

  3. Mental Status Examination: Assessment of appearance, mood, thought content, and cognition.

  4. Collateral Information: When appropriate, input from family or other health professionals.

Treatment & Management

  1. Medication

    • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): e.g., sertraline, escitalopram

    • Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine

    • Benzodiazepines (short-term use): e.g., lorazepam, clonazepam

  2. Therapy

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifies and reframes anxious thoughts.

    • Exposure Therapy: Gradual, controlled exposure to feared situations.

    • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Practices to reduce physiological arousal.

  3. Lifestyle & Self-Help

    • Regular physical activity, balanced diet, and consistent sleep schedule

    • Relaxation techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation)

    • Structured routines and stress-management plans

Helpful Resources

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