Anxiety

Anxiety disorders affect millions of people worldwide. Fortunately, psychiatric specialist and nurse practitioner Rachel Christian, ARNP, PMHNP, uses her decades of experience to help patients of all ages manage anxiety symptoms at MRSC Solutions in Royal Palm, Florida. Call or schedule an appointment online today for compassionate, affordable anxiety care.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety disorders cause intense worry, fear, and dread that extend beyond typical nervousness. Everybody experiences anxiety. You may feel anxious before a critical job interview or after a stressful event. What sets anxiety disorders apart from routine worry or nervousness is that they can cause frequent, overwhelming symptoms that affect your daily life.

If you struggle with anxiety, the experienced mental health care providers at MRSC Solutions can help. Your provider works with you to uncover the cause of anxiety, diagnose your specific type, and develop the appropriate treatment plan.

Are there different types of anxiety?

Many types of anxiety can affect your thoughts, behaviors, and mood. The most common types include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Social anxiety disorder 
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Phobias
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Separation anxiety disorder

Anxiety disorders can affect anybody at any age. You may have one specific form of anxiety or symptoms of multiple types. A comprehensive mental health evaluation is essential to diagnose and treat anxiety.

What are the signs of anxiety?

Anxiety can manifest physically, mentally, and emotionally. While anxiety affects everyone differently, common signs include:

• Excessive worry
• Dread or fear
• Restlessness
• Panic attacks
• Obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors
• Insomnia
• Social withdrawal
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate

Anxiety disorders can even cause digestive symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What causes anxiety?

Most experts agree that genetics, environmental factors, and brain chemistry contributes to anxiety development. Common risk factors for anxiety include certain personality traits (low self-esteem, excessive worry, etc.), thyroid disease, and having a family history of mental health conditions.

How is anxiety treated?

MRSC Solutions takes a multimodality approach to anxiety care. Common treatments your provider may recommend include:

• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Beta-blockers
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Relaxation strategies

Your provider may also work with you to improve your diet and sleep habits and develop a healthy exercise plan. 

It's important to work closely with your mental health professional to develop an individualized treatment plan that meets your needs and goals. Treatment can effectively reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, but it may require ongoing management and monitoring.

Call MRSC Solutions today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about anxiety.