What is anxiety?

Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stressful situations. When faced with stress, your body triggers a flight-or-fight response, physically preparing you for potential danger. However, individuals with an anxiety disorder experience heightened alertness, worry, and fear, even in the absence of any identifiable threat. This constant state of fear and worry can significantly interfere with your ability to function in everyday life. One of the anxiety disorders is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), characterized by persistent and excessive worry or fear without any apparent reason. People with GAD may also experience intrusive thoughts and physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat and sweating. Other conditions falling under the anxiety umbrella include social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, phobias, and panic disorder.

The underlying causes of anxiety disorders are not entirely understood, but genetics, family history, and environmental factors seem to play roles. Anxiety can also be linked to other mental health conditions, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

When should I seek treatment for anxiety?

If you or your child experience persistent, uncontrollable feelings of worry or fear, it’s essential to schedule an anxiety evaluation at Breakthrough HQ. Look out for symptoms like muscle tension, restlessness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, sleep disturbances, and persistent fatigue. Individuals with anxiety disorders may also startle easily.

Breakthrough HQ offers thorough anxiety evaluations both in-office and through our remote telehealth platform. Through this evaluation, we gain a deeper understanding of your symptoms and their impact on your quality of life. Once we determine the specific anxiety disorder you may have, we craft a personalized treatment plan to ease intrusive thoughts and alleviate symptoms that interfere with your or your child’s daily routines.

How is anxiety treated?

At Breakthrough HQ, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments to address anxiety. Your treatment plan may begin with psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), helping you recognize patterns of intrusive, negative thoughts and providing you with coping tools to better manage anxiety’s impact on your life. Additionally, lifestyle and diet changes that support your overall health can be beneficial. Daily exercise is especially crucial for individuals with anxiety, as physical activity helps reduce feelings of restlessness and boosts energy levels.

Should further support be needed, medication options like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs can effectively control existing anxiety symptoms and prevent new ones from developing. Our goal is to help you effectively manage anxiety and lead a fulfilling life. Together, we’ll work towards a calmer, more balanced future, providing you with the care and support you need along the way.