Anxiety

More than 40 million adults in the United States struggle with an anxiety disorder, causing unrealistic fear, worry, and, sometimes, panic attacks. At PsychPro Health, based in Brockton, Massachusetts, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Ana Depina, PMHNP, diagnoses and treats numerous forms of anxiety to help you feel at ease and have the best quality of life possible. Schedule a mental health evaluation by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.

What are anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are common mental health concerns that affect your thoughts and behaviors. They’re characterized by fear and worry in everyday situations that don’t affect many other people. While it’s normal to feel anxious from time to time, anxiety disorders can become debilitating and negatively affect schooling, jobs, and relationships with other people. 

What are the different forms of anxiety disorders?

Examples of different types of anxiety disorders include:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

GAD causes unrealistic or excessive worry, fear, and being overwhelmed about everyday activities.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia causes intense worry and fear of being overwhelmed or unable to escape enclosed spaces, large crowds, or unfamiliar places — which is why people with this form of anxiety may prefer to stay in their homes. 

Phobias

Phobias cause extreme worry or fear about something specific, such as heights, elevators, flying, spiders, or enclosed spaces.

Panic disorder

Panic disorder causes periodic (sometimes frequent) panic attacks, a feeling similar to having a heart attack that causes difficulty breathing, sweating, trembling, and intense terror. These attacks may happen without warning. 

Separation anxiety disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition that causes intense anxiousness when being separated from a loved one, especially a caregiver. 

Selective mutism

People with selective mutism, particularly children, only speak in certain situations. They avoid talking in other social situations because of fear.

Social anxiety disorder

Individuals with social anxiety disorder feel anxious and fearful in social situations due to worry about being judged negatively by others.

Which symptoms can anxiety cause?

Anxiety can lead to:

• Ongoing fear, worry, or anxiousness
• Feeling on-edge
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Shortness of breath
• Panic attacks
• Muscle tension
• Difficulty sleeping
• Depression

Having an anxiety disorder might cause you to avoid social situations, struggle at work or in school, experience relationship challenges, or even avoid leaving home in some instances.

What are the risk factors for anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorder risk factors may include:

• Chemical imbalances in the brain or other brain changes
• Genetics/family history of anxiety disorders
• Ongoing stress
• Traumatic life events
• Drug or alcohol misuse
• Certain personality traits
• Chronic illness

However, the cause of anxiety disorders isn’t entirely clear. 

How are anxiety disorders diagnosed?

Ana completes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to determine if you have an anxiety disorder or another mental health concern. She asks questions about your behaviors, thoughts, moods, emotions, lifestyle, medications, medical history, and goals to create a personalized treatment plan. 

How is anxiety treated?

Treating anxiety with Ana at PsychPro Health often includes making lifestyle modifications, taking medications, and undergoing individualized therapy or other forms of therapy. Ana meets with you in person or via telemedicine to complete cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, or other therapies that can help you overcome negative symptoms and thrive. 

Schedule an in-person or virtual anxiety evaluation with Ana at PsychPro Health by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.