Anxiety

If you often feel anxious while others around you appear calm, an anxiety disorder could be to blame. At Genesis Personal Healthcare Medicine in New York City, the skilled primary care experts diagnose and treat anxiety disorders to ease anxiousness and unwarranted fears. Schedule a telehealth evaluation by calling the office or booking a visit online today.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety disorders are mental health concerns that can cause fear, dread, or anxiousness in situations that aren’t perceived as a problem by most other people. While common, anxiety disorders interfere with everyday activities like work, social gatherings, and school.

Knowing which anxiety disorder you have and receiving treatment can enhance your quality of life and help you thrive.

Which symptoms do anxiety disorders cause?

The symptoms of anxiety disorders include:

• Fear
• Anxiousness
• Panic attacks
• Sweating
• Racing heartbeat
• Trembling
• Phobias
• Uncontrollable or obsessive thoughts
• Panic
• Constant worry
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability
• Shortness of breath
• Problems sleeping
• Restlessness

Feeling anxious now and then is normal, but anxiety disorders cause distress or prevent you from thriving in certain situations.

What are the various types of anxiety disorders?

Examples of anxiety disorders include:

• Panic disorder: having panic attacks (feeling like you’re having a heart attack)
• Selective mutism: speaking only in certain situations 
• Separation anxiety disorder: worry or fear when separated from a loved one
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): feeling overwhelmed in everyday situations
• Social anxiety disorder: anxiousness, worry, or fear in social situations 
• Phobias: extreme fear of things like spiders, heights, or enclosed spaces

Other conditions some people with anxiety disorders experience include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorder.

A family history of anxiety disorders, brain changes, stress, trauma, and chemical imbalances appears to raise the risk of anxiety disorders. However, the cause isn’t fully clear.

How does my provider diagnose anxiety?

The experts at Genesis Personal Healthcare Medicine diagnose anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions by completing a psychiatric evaluation using DSM-5 criteria. They discuss your mental health history, symptoms, behaviors, thoughts, moods, and emotions to create a personalized plan.

How is anxiety treated?

Your Genesis Personal Healthcare Medicine specialist will recommend one or more of the following to treat anxiety:

• Medication management 
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Exposure therapy
• Other forms of psychotherapy 
• Neurofeedback
• Lifestyle changes

Stay active, eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, reduce stress, and maintain a strong social support system to optimize your mental well-being.

The Genesis Personal Healthcare Medicine team follows up in person or virtually to ensure an effective outcome. They can treat any co-existing conditions, like depression. 

Schedule a telehealth anxiety evaluation at Genesis Personal Healthcare Medicine by calling the office or requesting a visit online today.