Treatment and Diagnosis for Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a fear of the unknown. Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming event or getting ready for a job interview, you’re likely to feel apprehensive about the situation. However, if the feeling doesn’t subside with time, you’re at risk of experiencing an anxiety attack.
Patients with panic disorders often experience intense and persistent bouts of fear and apprehension that might sometimes become uncontrollable, hence affecting the person’s quality of life. The only viable solution is to seek professional treatment.
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At Advanced Psychiatry Associates, we offer a wide range of options to treat anxiety and panic disorder. Our highly trained anxiety doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating all types of anxiety disorders. We encourage residents of California to pay us a visit for exceptional mental health services.
Types of Anxiety and Panic Disorders
While anxiety is a normal part of life, there are times when it becomes too much and starts interfering with your life, potentially leading to an anxiety or panic disorder. There are several types of anxiety and panic disorders, including:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Individuals with GAD experience persistent and excessive worrying about everyday things. They may experience physical symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and restlessness.
- Social anxiety disorder: Social anxiety is when you experience high discomfort in public or when surrounded by people because of the fear of being humiliated, rejected, or embarrassed. Individuals with social anxiety may avoid situations that involve being around other people.
- Separation anxiety disorder: Separation anxiety occurs when an individual excessively fears or worries about being away from their loved ones. They may fear something wrong could happen while they’re away, so they don’t leave or sleep without the person nearby.
- Panic disorder: Individuals with a panic disorder often suffer from frequent panic attacks, which include distressing symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, fear, and chest pain. Some panic attacks could be so severe that you may think you’re having a heart attack.
- Phobias: Phobias cause individuals high and sometimes uncontrollable stress, anxiety, and fear. The type of phobia differs per person, but it could be about an object, situation, or activity. For example, a common phobia is the fear of spiders.
What Kind of Anxiety Needs Treatment?
Treatment is a must if an anxiety or panic disorder has taken over your life. This is true whether the disorder is hindering you from participating in everyday activities or affecting your overall health through symptoms like sleep disturbances, upset stomach, chest pain, or increased/decreased appetite.
Do I Need Treatment for an Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety disorders may seem manageable at first. However, if the condition isn’t treated, it can develop into a severe mental illness. Notably, individuals who experience frequent anxiety attacks cannot live normal lives due to a constant fear of unseen dangers. In some cases, they may avoid visiting certain places or even become hostile toward their friends and relatives.
Fortunately, anxiety disorders are highly treatable. If you constantly worry over nothing tangible to the extent that it’s interfering with your work, social relations or life in general, it’s time for you to see a psychiatrist who specializes in anxiety treatment.
Anxiety and Panic Disorder Diagnosis
The causes of anxiety and panic disorders remain unknown. However, experts suggest that a previous traumatic experience or mental illness may trigger panic disorders. Medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may also increase the symptoms of anxiety disorders. The only way of finding out whether your condition is due to your physical health or caused by an underlying medical problem is to consult a psychiatrist.
Diagnosing an anxiety disorder is an intricate process that involves a number of tests and psychological evaluations. At Advanced Psychiatry Associates, we perform comprehensive tests to determine the possible causes of your condition. Our psychiatrists will speak with you about your feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Then, they’ll compare your symptoms to determine the severity of your condition. If medications are necessary, we offer on-site genetic testing to make sure our patients are prescribed safe and accurate medications.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety and Panic Disorders
Anxiety and panic disorders have a wide range of symptoms depending on the severity of the condition. Some of these signs may be obvious, while others are unnoticeable. Nevertheless, the common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:
- Excessive sweating
- Overwhelming fear
- Shaking hands
- Shortness of breath
- Sense of choking
- Irregular heartbeat
- Inability to concentrate
- Rapid pulse
- Paranoia and fear of death
Most people detach themselves from family and friends and allow others to assume control of their lives. Some may slowly learn to cope in the short term, hoping that their worries will fade away on their own. However, left unattended, the symptoms may get worse, forcing the patient into depression. Some patients may resort to drug and alcohol abuse as a way of coping. Remember that the primary viable way of treating the disorder is to see a psychiatrist.
Best Treatment for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Individuals can get many forms of treatment when they experience frequent anxiety and panic attacks. Some of the best treatments include:
- Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy or talk therapy is often the first choice for treatment. It includes talking through your worries, fears, and any other difficulties you have in life with a mental health professional. During your sessions, you may discover the underlying reasons for your attacks and learn coping mechanisms for handling them.
- Medication: Medication is another treatment option for anxiety and panic attacks. Taking medication can help subdue the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks by targeting specific brain chemicals and signals that cause you excessive fear. Some medications may slow down your nervous system, helping you sleep and feel better.
At Advanced Psychiatry Associates, we ensure every patient receives the best treatment plan possible to help them manage their anxiety and panic disorders.
Get Help for Anxiety Attacks in Northern and Southern California
Frequent anxiety attacks can make your life unbearable. Left untreated, anxiety disorders and related conditions can even take a toll on your social, family and work relations. For this reason and several others, it’s imperative for you to seek professional help.
Treatment options include psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy treatment includes counseling and cognitive behavior therapy where the patient learns coping skills. Medications, on the other hand, involve the use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs to relieve the symptoms of anxiety. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may recommend a combination of psychotherapy and medication for faster, long-lasting outcomes.
If you’re wondering where to get treatment for an anxiety disorder in Northern or Southern California, don’t hesitate to visit Advanced Psychiatry Associates. We’ll be your trusted, one-stop medical center for all mental health assistance, diagnosis and treatment. We provide outpatient mental health services, including counseling, psychotherapy, and medication management, to patients 14 years of age and older. We also have one of the best financing programs, as we accept all major insurance providers, including Medicare, HMO, Social Security, and worker’s compensation.
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For more information about our services or help determining your next steps, please fill out our contact form or start a conversation with one of our representatives via live chat. We’re here and ready to help.