Anxiety

Anxiety disorders affect approximately 40 million American adults and 12% of children. Emem Nkanga, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, and the team at Mindful Solutions Psychiatry in Garland, Texas, offer experienced anxiety care. Whether seeking care personally or for a family member, the compassionate team offers successful psychotherapy, medications, and lifestyle tools to improve your anxiety. Call the practice today or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment. 

What is anxiety? 

Anxiety consists of a group of mental health disorders that cause excessive feelings of worry that persist for longer than six months. Worries around work, school, health, finances, or relationships may be the root of your anxiety. 

Although the cause is unknown, family history, brain chemistry, or current life circumstances may lead to anxiety.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common type of anxiety disorder, but anxiety can progress to panic disorder, where you have sudden panic attacks. Phobias are when you have extreme fear of things like insects, heights, places, or social situations (social anxiety). 

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Children and adults have similar emotional signs of anxiety, including: 

• Apprehension or dread
• Irritability 
• Feeling tense or jumpy 
• Believing a situation is threatening when it isn’t 
• Overthinking 
• Restlessness 
• Indecisiveness 
• Difficulty concentrating 

Physical signs of anxiety include: 

• Racing or pounding heart 
• Shortness of breath 
• Unexplainable fatigue 
• Nervousness, tremors, or sweating 
• Insomnia 
• Headaches or migraines
• Muscle aches or pain
• Upset stomach, diarrhea, or frequent urination

Children and adolescents may excessively worry about school or social situations and sometimes try to avoid them altogether. 

What are my anxiety treatment options? 

Mindful Solutions Psychiatry is passionate about treating anxiety holistically with a combination of treatments. Your provider may encourage relaxation techniques like meditation, journaling, support groups, or improved diet and exercise. 

Medications 

Antidepressants can take several weeks to improve your anxiety but are effective ongoing options. Some anti-anxiety medications can be addictive, so your provider may prescribe these drugs for acute anxiety. 

Mindful Solutions Psychiatry offers medication management to ensure quality results with the fewest side effects. 

Psychotherapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective form of talk therapy that enables you to understand the roots of your anxiety. Your provider helps you react differently to situations or thoughts that cause you to fear or worry. For young children, involving parents in treatment is key.

Your provider may recommend exposure therapy if your anxiety has led to phobias. This therapy helps you understand you’re not in any present danger by engaging you directly with situations or objects you’re afraid of. 

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are effective brain stimulation treatments for anxiety if other treatments haven’t worked. 

Call Mindful Solutions Psychiatry today or book an appointment online to learn more about anxiety treatment.