When worry stops being occasional and starts running the day.
Everyone feels anxious sometimes. An anxiety disorder is different: the fear or worry doesn't let up, it's out of proportion to what's happening, and it gets in the way of work, school, sleep, or relationships. The good news is that anxiety disorders are among the most treatable conditions we see.
What it can look like
- Generalized anxiety: excessive, hard-to-control worry about many things, most days, for months.
- Panic disorder: sudden episodes of intense fear with a racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or a feeling that something terrible is about to happen.
- Social anxiety: strong fear of being judged or embarrassed in social or performance situations.
- Specific phobias: intense fear of a particular thing or situation, such as flying or heights, that leads to avoiding it.
Physical symptoms are common: trouble sleeping, muscle tension, stomach upset, sweaty or cold hands, dizziness, and a constant sense of being on edge.
How we treat it
After a thorough evaluation to rule out medical causes, treatment usually combines two things. Medication, most often an SSRI antidepressant, and sometimes other options depending on your history. And therapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches you to recognize and change the thought patterns and behaviors that keep anxiety going. Many patients do best with both, and we coordinate closely with your therapist on one plan.