Anxiety

The anxiety that comes with everyday life isn't the same as anxiety that you can't shake, and that's severe enough to disrupt your life. When anxiety turns into a mental health disorder, you can find the help you need from Asif Choudhary, MD, and the team at Advanced Psychiatry. You can overcome anxiety with comprehensive and individualized care that targets your specific anxiety disorder. To learn more about anxiety treatments, call the office in Marietta, Georgia, or book an appointment online today.

When does anxiety turn into a problem?

Everyone experiences anxiety because it's a natural, automatic response. Every time you feel stress, worry, fear, or dread, your brain immediately reacts, triggering the release of hormones. 

The hormones energize your body so you can deal with the problem. Once the event ends, your hormones return to normal, and your anxiety should disappear.

Normal anxiety turns into a problem when your body stays on high alert even when you don't face an immediate threat. You have an anxiety disorder when your anxiety persists, causes constant worrying, or makes you change your routine to avoid stressful people and situations.

Are there different types of anxiety?

There are several different anxiety disorders, including:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

GAD causes constant worry about daily life issues, such as your job, children, health, and finances.

Social anxiety disorder

This type causes anxiety and extreme self-consciousness when you meet new people or perform in front of others, such as giving a report at school or a presentation at work.

Specific phobias

A phobia is an irrational fear of a specific thing or situation, such as spiders, flying, or being in a small, enclosed space.

Separation anxiety disorder

Separation anxiety disorder may affect children, teens, and adults. Anxiety occurs when you fear that something will happen to you or your family when you're apart.

What symptoms does anxiety cause?

Anxiety causes many emotional and physical symptoms. You may experience any of the following: 

• Fear
• Irritability
• Nervousness
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Stomachaches
• Muscle aches
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fast or pounding heartbeat

Severe anxiety may cause a panic attack. A panic attack rapidly escalates and causes symptoms resembling a heart attack, such as chest pain and difficulty breathing.

How is anxiety treated?

Advanced Psychiatry treats anxiety with therapy and medication. Several types of therapy improve anxiety. One of the most successful approaches, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), teaches you how to identify and change thinking patterns that cause anxiety.

Therapy for a phobia may involve gradually exposing you to the thing you fear in a safe, controlled environment. Some people find that relaxation and mindfulness techniques help control their anxiety.

If you have severe anxiety or panic attacks, you may need anti-anxiety medications. Dr Choudhary may prescribe an antidepressant, which improves the brain chemicals associated with anxiety and mood.

Don't let anxiety limit your life. For effective treatment, call Advanced Psychiatry or book an appointment online today.