A Ventre Medical Company

Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

Discover comprehensive anxiety disorder treatment options at our multiple locations across Florida, including Miami, Hollywood, Oakland Park, Boca Raton, and Orlando. For added convenience, we also provide telemedicine services, ensuring you receive expert care from the comfort of your home.

Psychiatric Treatment for Anxiety

Many individuals encounter occasional bouts of anxiety, a natural response to various tasks and situations. However, if anxiety becomes a frequent companion in your daily life, it might be indicative of an anxiety disorder requiring attention.

At My Psychiatrist, our team of board-certified psychiatrists and nurse practitioners specializes in diagnosing anxiety disorders. With personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs, we aim to empower you in managing and alleviating your symptoms effectively.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

An anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of worry or fear that interfere with your daily life. Some common types of anxiety disorders include:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common type of anxiety in which a person frequently feels anxious and worries excessively, making it difficult to function in daily life. People with GAD may experience a range of anxiety symptoms and may struggle to concentrate, sleep, work, or maintain relationships with friends, family, and co-workers because of their anxiety.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is technically a phobia-related anxiety disorder in which people fear and worry about social interactions or situations in which they could be judged by others. This can cause them to feel intense fear and concern about embarrassing themselves in front of others and could lead to them avoiding those situations altogether. Blushing, racing pulse, shaking, sweating, nausea, blanking, hyperventilation (or trouble breathing), and tense muscles are all physical signs of social anxiety disorder which people may experience.

Panic Attacks/Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is when anxiety causes panic attacks–episodes in which a person experiences acute anxiety symptoms suddenly like increased heart rate, trouble breathing, shaking, sweating, disorientation or confusion, a sense of doom, or a strong fear of dying. Panic attacks can happen unexpectedly, since triggers may be unknown. Constantly worrying about the onset of a panic attack can cause people to feel anxious when they are out in public or away from home.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

With OCD, a person becomes obsessed by uncontrollable disturbing and distressing thoughts or visions that cause them to engage in compulsive behaviors in an attempt to prevent the outcome they fear. The obsessive thought and compulsive behaviors can make it difficult–and sometimes impossible–to function normally and can cause intense anxiety and stress. It is common for people with OCD to be concerned about germs or that they will harm themselves or others.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that develops after a person experiences a traumatic event or is exposed to trauma repeatedly. Traumas could include experiencing or witnessing violence, abuse, sexual abuse, or surviving a disaster like a flood or fire. The sudden death of a loved one can also trigger PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks to the trauma, intrusive memories or thoughts, nightmares, sleep issues, and other symptoms of anxiety.

How is Anxiety Diagnosed?

As most other mental health conditions, anxiety can be diagnosed by both a doctor and a mental health specialist. It is common for someone who is experiencing symptoms of anxiety to reach out to either their doctor or mental health specialist to inquire about their symptoms — even if they do not know why they are feeling the way they are. Some people present with extreme concerns over their health, while others present with significant feelings of being overwhelmed and worried. Either way, the process of diagnosing anxiety remains the same.

A medical or mental health specialist will provide a person with a psychological evaluation to start. This will include asking questions about one’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Gathering as much mental health history about the individual is also a step that a professional will take during the diagnostic process. Professionals will also refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5) to review criteria to determine if anxiety is occurring or not. To be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, individuals must experience:

  • Excessive worry for more days than not for a full six months
  • Difficulty controlling their worries
  • Worries that are associated with three or more of the following symptoms:
    • Restlessness, feeling on edge
    • Being easily fatigued
    • Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
    • Irritability
    • Muscle tension
    • Sleep disturbances

Based on the results that a doctor or mental health specialist obtains from the patient, they can better determine the severity of the anxiety disorder. This allows for them to begin developing a proper treatment plan for the patient. 

How is Anxiety Treated?

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the United States, however it is treatable. Depending on the needs of the patient, anxiety is typically treated with medications and therapy. 

Medications

There are a number of types of anxiety disorders, meaning that there are a variety of different medications that can be used to treat them. The most common types of anxiety medications include the following:

  • SSRI’s – Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft
  • SNRI’s – Pristiq, Effexor, Cymbalta
  • Benzodiazepines – Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin
  • Anticonvulsants – pregabalin, gabapentin

The type and dose of these medications will be based on factors such as what kind of anxiety disorder the patient has, what his/her physical health status is, and the severity of their disorder, among other things. 

Therapies

The many symptoms of anxiety that individuals feel on a daily basis can be minimized through the application of evidence-based therapies. Through therapy, individuals can learn how to change negative behavioral and thought patterns, develop a strong sense of self-awareness, and establish skills that allow them to cope with their anxiety in a healthy way. Some of the therapies that are most often used to treat anxiety disorders include the following:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Individual psychotherapy
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
  • Exposure therapy
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

These therapies have proven to be highly effective in reducing the presence of anxiety symptoms, allowing individuals to live happier, healthier lives.

Living and Coping With Anxiety

Anxiety, as mentioned before, is a mental health condition that can be treated. When the appropriate treatment is obtained, it can be much easier to live and cope with anxiety. But, arguably the most important part of trying to live a healthy life while living with anxiety is prioritizing one’s own self-care and wellbeing.

Self-care is often misconstrued as going for a spa day, taking oneself shopping, etc. But, self-care is a daily action that needs to be taken in order to keep anxiety symptoms at bay. So, in order to live with and cope with anxiety, self-care is an absolute must. Examples of good self-care practices for someone with anxiety can include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Setting healthy boundaries
  • Maintaining a healthy diet
  • Exercising regularly
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Making time for leisurely activities 

The goal of self-care is to incorporate daily self-care actions into one’s life. Maintaining focus on one’s wellbeing allows individuals to prioritize their needs while still being able to carry out their regular daily functions. Those with anxiety often neglect their own needs, adding to the severity of their symptoms. But, by making this move to put themselves first, they can live with and cope with anxiety in an effective manner.

How to Know When to See a Psychiatrist for Anxiety

If you are concerned that you or a loved one is struggling with anxiety, reaching out to a psychiatrist is the first thing you should do. Anxiety is a complicated mental health condition, and attempting to manage it on your own can prove disastrous. If you are unsure if you or a loved one is experiencing an anxiety disorder, consider the following symptoms that may denote if you have anxiety or not:

  • Excessive, uncontrollable worries 
  • Intrusive thoughts and concerns
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Changes in eating habits
  • Having panic attacks
  • Feeling unable to control fears 
  • Problems focusing
  • Problems carrying out regular, daily activities 

Anxiety disorders can quickly grow to be out of hand. That is why seeking professional treatment is absolutely necessary if you or a loved one feel that anxiety is impacting your daily lives. If you are thinking, “where is there a psychiatrist near me for anxiety?”, look no further. Contact My Psychiatrist right now.

Our Anxiety Disorder Mental Health Services

When you reach out to My Psychiatrist for anxiety disorder treatment, we’ll begin by performing a psychological evaluation. This evaluation will include questions about your thoughts, feelings, behaviors and mental health history.

Based on your diagnosis, our specialists will develop the appropriate treatment plan for your needs. Most anxiety treatment plans involve a combination of medication and therapy.

We offer two types of anxiety disorder services — choose the one works best for you.

In-Person Treatment

My Psychiatrist provides outpatient anxiety psychiatric treatment in South Florida. We have offices in Oakland Park, South Miami and Hollywood, so it’s easy to find a location near you. 

Choosing our outpatient services gives you the chance to connect with your doctor face-to-face. Some patients find in-person appointments help them focus better, as being in an office eliminates the distractions they might experience at home. 

Telemedicine for Anxiety

We also offer mental health care for anxiety online. Our telemedicine services allow you to receive live, virtual therapy sessions with your psychiatrist from the comforts of your home. Telemedicine services are as effective as in-person services, and they are a convenient option that can save you time and money.

Schedule Your Appointment Online Today

Whether you need a psychiatrist for anxiety attacks or OCD, the team at My Psychiatrist can help. Book an appointment today and take the first step towards getting the mental health services you need.

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