Anxiety

Anxiety severe enough to interfere with daily life affects nearly one-third of adults. The professional and experienced team at Mental Health and Wellness Associates, based in Santa Monica, California, eases your stress and anxiety with comprehensive treatments that achieve your individual goals. You can overcome anxiety with their patient-centered support. To schedule an appointment, call or use the online booking feature today.

When should I seek help for anxiety?

Everyone experiences anxiety because it’s the body’s natural response to stress, whether you’re starting a new job, dreading an upcoming event, or facing a dangerous situation.

When you feel anxious, your body releases hormones that help you focus and boost your energy. After the challenge ends, your body restores hormonal balance, and you calm down. 

Beneficial anxiety turns into a problem affecting your mental, emotional, and physical well-being when it:

• Occurs frequently
• Interferes with daily life 
• Causes uncontrollable fear and worry
• Makes you change your daily schedule (to prevent anxiety)
• Persists even if you don’t face a current or upcoming situation

It’s time to seek help from the team at Mental Health and Wellness Associates any time you feel overwhelmed with anxiety (or face the challenges listed above). 

Are there different types of anxiety disorders?

There are several anxiety disorders, but the four most common include: 

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

This disorder is generalized because you’re constantly anxious over a wide range of everyday issues. 

Specific phobias

Specific phobias cause intense fear of one object, activity, or place. For example, you may fear spiders, heights, flying, needles, or small spaces. 

Social anxiety disorder

This disorder makes you severely anxious when you meet new people, attend a social event, or need to perform in front of others (like giving a presentation at work).

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia causes anxiety about situations you can’t leave (like riding a bus or plane) or circumstances where you may have a panic attack. The fear is so severe you may not be able to leave home. 

What symptoms accompany anxiety?

In addition to worry and fear, anxiety often causes:

• Nausea
• Stomach aches
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping
• Headaches
• Body aches
• Panic attacks

Panic attacks cause sudden dizziness, sweating, chest pain, and shortness of breath. 

How is anxiety treated?

After diagnosing the type and cause of your anxiety, your doctor may recommend therapy, medication, or both. Medications are individualized to each patient, and a full biological, psychological, and social history is collected to help identify the best options available. Most people also participate in therapy to help them overcome and learn to manage anxiety.

Don’t let anxiety limit your life. Call Mental Health and Wellness Associates, or book an appointment online today.