Anxiety is the emotion you feel when worried or under stress — you might get anxious before an interview or a hospital appointment, for instance. Feeling anxiety in these situations is normal. However, for some people, anxiety starts to take over, making them constantly worried and afraid.
If your anxiety reaches a stage where it’s dominating your thoughts and interfering with everyday life, you might have an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety symptoms can be psychological and physical. They may include:
Sometimes, these symptoms come to a head and cause a panic attack. You might be rooted to the spot, collapse, scream, or cry uncontrollably when a panic attack strikes. You could also experience chest pain and have problems breathing that make you wonder if you’re having a heart attack.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), where everything in your life is a source of excessive worry, is the most common form. Other anxiety disorders include:
Panic disorder is where you experience frequent panic attacks.
Phobias are fears that focus on something specific. Common examples include spiders, heights, and confined spaces.
Social anxiety affects you when you’re with other people. You might find it impossible to mix socially or even talk to others.
During your consultation at Heritage Wellness™, you discuss in detail your symptoms and how they affect you. You might need to complete a special questionnaire that helps assess your condition’s severity.
Your provider also asks you about other aspects of your life that could be relevant, such as your general health, lifestyle, work and home environment, the medications you take, and any family history of anxiety.
At Heritage Wellness™, anxiety treatment might involve talk therapy, medication, or both. Medicines adjust the balance of chemicals in your brain to reduce your anxiety response. Counseling addresses the underlying causes of your anxiety, and behavioral therapy helps you learn how to manage your anxiety day-to-day.
With help from Heritage Wellness™, you can overcome anxiety and live the life you want. Call the office to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.