What is Anxiety?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
When someone suffers from anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Chronic Anxiety Neurosis) they often worry uncontrollably, usually about common situations or daily occurrences - worry may lead to panic attacks. Anxiety, feelings of anxiousness, stress, and nervousness about life events can happen to anyone. In fact, if we were to take a sample of the population, 100% of all people have anxiety at some time and frequently too.
Sometimes anxiety manifests itself as just worry, they are just unable to express what they are worried about. Many times they feel something negative may happen or they simply can not stay calm. Excessive and unrealistic worry is terrifying to the person experiencing it. Often it interferes with relationships, daily activities, and life.
What are symptoms of Anxiety?
- Symptoms of anxiety may include (but are not limited to):
- Inability to deal with stress
- Irritability
- Uncommon Fear
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Fatigue
- Exhaustion
- Muscle Tension or Muscle Spasms
- Stomachaches or Diarrhea
- Sweat - either sweaty palms or sweat on the forehead are common
- Repeated Shaking
- Increased Rate of Heartbeat
- Neurological symptoms - this may include numbness or tingling in different parts of the body
- Panic Attacks
What causes Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety may be caused by:
- Family history of anxiety
- Recent or living through a stressful situation or event (this may include financial, personal, or illnesses)
- Excessive use of caffeine or tobacco - these actually can make anxiety worse
- Childhood trauma or abuse
How anxiety may be different from other mental health issues?
Anxiety is very, very common, just as depression or other phobias are. However, Generalized Anxiety is different in several ways.
Depressed people can occasionally feel anxious and those who suffer from phobias may often worry about one particular thing. Those who suffer from anxiety often worry about several (or many) topics of a period of months (or years). They usually do not identify (or communicate) the source of their worry.
How do we diagnose an anxiety?
A mental health screening is the first step in diagnosis. During this process we take time to listen, ask questions, ask about symptoms, feelings, emotions, daily life, and also watch for visible cues. We may also test to see if there is an underlying illness or substance abuse, which may be causing your symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, thyroid disorders, heart disease, or menopause.
We may ask for blood tests, to check hormone levels, urine tests, to check for substance abuse, gastric reflux tests, to check for GERD and to view the esophagus and even X-rays, to check on the condition of the heart.
How do we treat anxiety?
Depending on the severity we may regularly set up time to talk with you, it could be weekly, biweekly, or monthly. This is key in providing a long-term anxiety relief.
We may prescribe medication. Hopefully, medications can be a short-term use to we can relieve the physical symptoms of your anxiety. Some anti-anxiety medications may include Xanax, Klonopin, or Ativan. There is a high risk for dependence and abuse on anti-anxiety drugs - so we will closely monitor your use.
Other medications, which we may use are called antidepressants, these typically work well in the long-term. These medications may include: Buspar, Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Sarafem, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor XR, Pristiq, or Cymbalta). We also work with companies who perform clinical trials - if you are interested and a good candidate you may choose to be in a clinical trial with a new medication.
It is important some medications take time to start working - sometimes weeks. Medications often carry side effects - if these side effects are affecting you we may run a medication management profile on you, adjust your dosage, or switch to a different medication.
What can I do to help ease symptoms of anxiety?
As with many of life's issues some people adopt certain lifestyle habits, including:
- Regular exercise
- Healthy diet
- Plenty of sleep
- Yoga and Meditation
- Cutting back on stimulants (or eliminating them) - such as coffee or certain OTC medications
- Turning off the news (removing things which reinforce worry)
- Talking - even open and honest communication with a friend, spouse, family member can help lower anxiety, fears, and worries
- If possible, removing interactions from stressful people from your life.
Truth about anxiety
Many people can manage anxiety with therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. There is hope! We are here to help! Please ask as many questions as you want!
Orange County Anxiety
What is Anxiety of Affluence?
The "Real Housewives of Orange County" put front and center Orange County's unique culture. Many in Orange County, regardless if they have wealth or not, want to portray themselves as often wealthier than they are. This manifests itself as materialistic and entitled.
What are money anxiety signs?
- Excessive stress about spending money. This may be seen in overspending. The idea of spending money is a stress for you and there is guilt after the purchase.
- Constantly fear about debt. Debt is a major source of anxiety, and justifiably so. But constantly worrying about debt (it's a fear you feel everyday) is not healthy.
- Inability to plan and prioritize your finances. You do not have a written plan, so your finances are cluttered thoughts and so are your financial priorities. This becomes a major issue when it becomes a constant source of worry.
- Irritability when discussing finances. Husbands and wives may always disagree about money, however when the discussion of money leading to lashing out, because the feeling it may make you look weak is a cause of stress.
- Overwork and underspending - fear of not earning and saving enough. Many in Orange County actually are saving money for emergencies, opportunities, retirement, etc. But, if you suffer and stress about not doing enough, when financial professionals show you are on the right track, then the anxiety needs to be worked on.
Adults are not the only ones who show signs of stress anxiety in keeping up with their neighbors, children do too. Children often reveal it is not just family, other children, but also the culture we live in. Many children feel inferior if they perceive their parents to be less financially secure than others. Compared to many other students there is a huge need to develop accomplishments and achievements.
OC Anxiety can be managed, we can help.
Our treatment may be intensive, traditional, or a blended approach. Three key areas we will look at are:
- Biological factors (including genetic vulnerability, natural and adaptive responses)
- Psychological factors (learned behavior, creation of patterns)
- Social factors (often observed patterns)
Lowered anxiety can often be maintained through maintenance and consistent visits with a psychiatrist from PNS.