Anxiety Treatment Clinic in NYC

The term anxiety may be used to describe a momentary feeling that does not impede your life. In contrast, anxiety disorders are persistent and hinder your ability to maintain day-to-day responsibilities. The cause of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is not well understood, though the condition is heavily linked to genetic, physiological, and environmental factors.

If you have a family history of anxiety disorders, the likelihood of development increases for you. In addition, trauma and stress can lead to anxious thoughts and maladaptive behaviors, though everyone perceives and handles safety threats differently. You are also more likely to develop an anxiety disorder if you have other mental illnesses or if you are experiencing chronic disease.

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses that include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), etc. These disorders are characterized by fearful thought and behavior patterns that interfere with daily functioning, though specific symptoms can vary amongst the conditions.
 
Some patients with generalized anxiety do not recognize the symptoms to be psychiatric, and it can go undiagnosed until a crisis occurs, such as a panic attack. Panic attacks are episodes of severe fear and panic that come on suddenly. Physically, a panic attack will look like an increased heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure; you may feel tightness in your chest and have difficulty breathing. Your body will feel restless, and you will likely experience shaking and sweating.
 
Your ability to concentrate will be impaired, and you will experience rapid thoughts and emotions. These symptoms can be felt outside of a panic attack, though they will be milder. Anxiety is often associated with sleep disturbances, social isolation, and avoidance of stress triggers.

The presence of a mental illness does not automatically mean that a person’s mental health is poor, though the connection is strong. The more severe your anxiety is, the more your overall mental health will be impacted, as constant fear can influence thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

If you become avoidant of the things that trigger anxiety, this can lead to social isolation, further impacting mental and social health. Anxiety is frequently comorbid with depressive disorders.

Optimal treatment for several mental illnesses, including anxiety, is a combination of psychotherapy and medication. The experience of anxiety differs greatly between patients, and treatment is not one size fits all. Often, patients will have a trial-and-error period to find the proper medication and type of therapy. Your physician will likely provide an antidepressant or sedative (benzodiazepine) as these medications have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects.

The most common type of antidepressant to be prescribed for anxiety are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which increase serotonin levels in the brain to help regulate mood and emotion. SSRIs that are used to treat anxiety include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), and paroxetine (Paxil). In the class of benzodiazepines, the following drugs are most commonly prescribed: lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), and clonazepam (Rivotril, Klonopin). Bupropion (Wellbutrin), a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), may also be used to treat anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly effective for those with anxiety, as it addresses faulty thought patterns and connected behavior.

You and a therapist will discuss your symptoms and your surrounding emotions, and you will provide goals that allow you to work through these concerns by replacing damaging thoughts. In addition, you will learn many tools to help you regulate your anxiety and diminish panic attacks.

CBT often includes exposure therapy, which allows you to face your fears in a safe environment to build confidence. It is best to be seen by a psychiatrist or psychologist for such issues, as they are best equipped to diagnose and treat mental illnesses appropriately.

Here at Marcellus, our exceptional team of health care providers offers numerous services for mental health wellness and substance addiction; this includes diagnosis and treatment for anxiety disorders. We are dedicated to providing all of our patients with comprehensive care free of judgment; your health is of utmost importance.

So please, do not hesitate to reach out to our office to schedule an appointment; this can be done via phone call or online. We look forward to meeting you and optimizing your quality of life. We serve patients from Rockville Centre NY, Brooklyn NY, Queens NY, Staten Island NY, Manhattan NY, Bronx NY and surrounding areas.