Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is the body’s natural reaction to stress or perceived threats. It helps alert you to potential threats and prepares your body to respond. However, when anxiety becomes persistent, overwhelming, or occurs without an obvious cause, it may be classified as an anxiety disorder. 

Anxiety disorders can interfere with daily activities, relationships, and overall well-being, affecting millions of people of all ages.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety can affect your mind and body. Common symptoms include:

• Excessive worry or fear: persistent thoughts about potential dangers or worst-case scenarios
• Physical symptoms: rapid heartbeat, sweating, shaking, dizziness, muscle tension, or shortness of breath
• Restlessness: feeling on edge, irritable, or easily startled
• Sleep issues: difficulty falling or staying asleep, or experiencing restless sleep
• Difficulty concentrating: trouble focusing or feeling like your mind is “going blank”

The severity and frequency of symptoms vary from person to person. They can fluctuate based on life circumstances or stress levels.

What causes anxiety?

Anxiety disorders can result from a combination of factors. These may include:

• Genetics: having a family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions
• Brain chemistry: imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin or dopamine
• Personality traits: people who are highly sensitive or perfectionistic may be more prone
• Life experiences: trauma, chronic stress, significant life changes, or ongoing medical conditions
• Environmental factors: lack of social support, financial strain, or work-related pressures

At Hope & Resilience Psychiatry Services, PLLC, Henry has the expertise to identify the root causes and can help guide an effective treatment approach.

How is anxiety treated?

Hope & Resilience Psychiatry Services, PLLC, offers a holistic approach to anxiety treatment, focusing on the whole person, not just the symptoms. It often includes therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness-based therapy, to help identify and change unhelpful thought patterns. 

When appropriate, your provider may prescribe medication like anti-anxiety drugs or antidepressants. They may also encourage lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, healthy eating, and better sleep.

In addition, mind-body practices like deep breathing, yoga, and meditation can help reduce stress. 

Hope & Resilience Psychiatry Services, PLLC also offers telemedicine, which provides convenient, secure access to care from the comfort of home. Henry customizes your treatment plan to help you regain calm, confidence, and control.

Learn more about anxiety treatment by calling or booking an in-person or telehealth appointment today.