Anxiety Specialist

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural stress response and everyone feels nervous or anxious from time to time. You might get sweaty palms before taking a test, or your heartbeat might speed up before a date. If you have these feelings frequently or all the time, even in response to normal day-to-day happenings, you might have an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders cause you to feel fearful or nervous all the time. Your anxiety can be so intense that it affects your ability to finish tasks that are normally quite easy. Some common anxiety disorders are:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Phobias
• Social anxiety disorder
• Separation anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

You’re at a higher risk for anxiety if you’ve experienced traumatic events in your life, especially during childhood. Having family members with anxiety disorders or other mental health conditions also puts you at a higher risk.

How can I tell if I have anxiety?

Anxiety disorders can cause varied symptoms, but there are a few they all share. Different individuals can also experience anxiety in different ways. The Weingrow Wellness & Medical Center team asks about how you feel all the time and how you feel when your anxiety is exacerbated in order to make a diagnosis.

Common anxiety symptoms are:

• A fluttering feeling in the stomach
• Increased heart rate or heart palpitations
• Rapid breathing
• Insomnia
• Trouble concentrating
• Feeling on edge
• Irritability
• Muscle tension

Some people with anxiety disorders get anxiety attacks, which happen when your anxiety ramps up. During an anxiety attack, you might feel especially fearful and experience physiological symptoms like sweating, numbness, or fainting.

How can I manage my anxiety?

The Weingrow Wellness & Medical Center team helps you cope with your anxiety. They create a personalized treatment plan just for you, which may include medications.

Often, lifestyle changes play a key role in managing anxiety disorders. The team might tell you to get more sleep, avoid caffeine, meditate, or exercise, among other common recommendations for managing anxiety.

Beyond lifestyle changes, the best ways to treat anxiety clinically involve psychotherapy, medication, or both. Medications like antidepressants or sedatives can balance your brain chemistry. When combined with psychological counseling, they work well to help you live life without anxiety holding you back.

If you’re ready to manage your anxiety effectively, call Weingrow Wellness & Medical Center or book an appointment online today.