An anxiety disorder is characterized by feelings of nervousness, apprehension, panic, and/or self-doubt in response to real or perceived stressors. There is a certain amount of normal anxiety that can be useful to the everyday person when carrying out life’s duties, but when it impairs ability to function, that is when it becomes problematic.

Mental symptoms:

• Uncontrollable, ruminating, and obsessive thoughts.

• Trouble sleeping.

• Inability to be still and calm.

Including but not limited to:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Panic Disorder

• Specific Phobias

• Social Anxiety Disorder

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

We usually suggest to combine psychotherapy and medication to treat anxiety. The goal is to start medication which may help balance your sleep, energy, appetite and concentration, while simultaneously meeting with a therapist weekly or biweekly. Once you change some thought processes, make some lifestyle changes, and start to physically feel better with the help of psychiatric medication, it may be time to stop taking the medication. By this point, these new behaviors and thought processes have already changed with the help of therapy, brief periods of medication management, and taking an active approach in your life.

We often use SSRI’s, SNRI’s and other medications to treat anxiety.