Psychiatric Care · Panic Disorder · Generalized Anxiety · Social Anxiety

Anxiety Treatment

Published: August 1, 2026 Reviewed by: Erin Brosamer, PA-C, CAQ-Psych

Anxiety is more than everyday stress or occasional worry. It can affect how you think, feel, sleep, work, and move through daily life. For some people, anxiety shows up as constant overthinking or tension. For others, it appears as panic attacks, avoidance, irritability, or physical symptoms that feel difficult to control.

PNS provides personalized psychiatric care for anxiety disorders, including medication management, psychotherapy, and treatment planning tailored to each patient’s symptoms, goals, and history.

What is
anxiety?

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States, and among the most treatable. Whether you’re dealing with debilitating panic attacks, chronic worry that never switches off, or social situations that feel impossible to navigate, PNS providers offer accurate diagnosis and individualized care across 8 Southern California locations.

Signs & Symptoms

Recognizing Anxiety

Anxiety can look different from person to person. Some people experience racing thoughts and constant worry, while others feel anxiety primarily through physical symptoms.

Frequent or difficult-to-control worry about work, health, relationships, school, family, or everyday situations.

A persistent sense of tension, nervousness, or difficulty relaxing.

Feeling mentally “stuck” on worries, what-if scenarios, or worst-case outcomes.

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrested because the mind will not settle.

Muscle tension, headaches, stomach discomfort, nausea, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, or a racing heart.

Sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that may include chest tightness, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or feeling out of control.

Avoiding places, responsibilities, conversations, or situations because they trigger fear, worry, or panic.

Trouble focusing, making decisions, or completing tasks because of persistent worry or mental distraction.

Types of Anxiety

Anxiety can look different from person to person. Some people experience racing thoughts and constant worry, while others feel anxiety primarily through physical symptoms.

  • Generalized anxiety is ongoing, difficult-to-control worry that affects daily life and may be accompanied by tension, fatigue, irritability, or sleep problems.
  • Social anxiety refers to fear of judgment, embarrassment, or scrutiny in social or performance situations, often leading to avoidance.
  • Trauma-related anxiety is connected to past traumatic experiences, which may overlap with PTSD symptoms such as hypervigilance, avoidance, sleep disruption, or intrusive memories.
  • Anxiety with Depression is common, with any people experience anxiety and depression together, requiring a treatment plan that addresses both conditions.
  • Panic-related anxiety is characterized by sudden, intense episodes of fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest tightness, often leading to fear of future attacks.

When to seek help

If anxiety is interfering with your ability to work, sleep, maintain relationships, attend school, complete daily responsibilities, or feel present in your life, it may be time to speak with a mental health professional.

You do not need to wait until symptoms become severe. Treatment can help reduce distress, improve functioning, and give you tools to manage anxiety more effectively.

For patients who have already tried therapy or medication but continue to experience persistent symptoms, PNS can help reassess the treatment plan and identify next steps.

Let’s connect

Book an appointment at any PNS location. Our scheduling team will get in touch, usually within one business day.

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How PNS Treats It

Anxiety treatment at PNS

Anxiety disorders respond well to treatment. Your provider will complete a psychiatric evaluation, review your symptoms and treatment history, and help develop a plan that fits your needs.

Medication Management

Psychiatric medication may help reduce persistent worry, panic symptoms, sleep disruption, and physical symptoms of anxiety. Your provider will work with you to monitor effectiveness, adjust treatment when needed, and manage side effects over time.

Psychotherapy

Therapy can help patients identify anxiety patterns, develop coping strategies, reduce avoidance, and build greater confidence in daily life. Approaches may include CBT, DBT-informed skills, supportive therapy, or other evidence-based modalities.

TMS

Off-label use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for anxiety is supported by a growing body of evidence, particularly for patients with co-occurring depression and treatment-resistant anxiety presentations.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

They’re related but distinct. GAD involves chronic, wide-ranging worry. Panic disorder centers on recurrent panic attacks and fear of future attacks. Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear of social evaluation. Each has a specific diagnostic profile and responds best to condition-specific treatment approaches. An evaluation with a PNS provider can clarify which applies to you.

Panic attacks typically involve a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort that reaches peak intensity within minutes, accompanied by physical symptoms: racing heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, tingling, or a feeling of unreality. They can feel like a heart attack or like you’re dying. If you’ve experienced these symptoms, a psychiatric evaluation can help distinguish panic disorder from other medical or psychiatric causes.

No. CBT is highly effective for anxiety, and many patients achieve meaningful improvement through therapy alone. For others, medication significantly accelerates progress. Your PNS provider will discuss the evidence and your preferences.

Medication options vary depending on the type of anxiety, symptoms, medical history, and other factors. A provider may discuss antidepressants, anxiolytic medications, or other options as part of a personalized treatment plan.

TMS is not FDA-cleared specifically for anxiety, but it has shown benefit in clinical studies for anxiety — particularly for patients with co-occurring depression and anxiety, or those who haven’t responded to medications. PNS offers TMS for qualified patients, and your provider will assess whether you’re a candidate.

Make an appointment today