Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus, OH
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Anxiety Counseling in Ohio
It’s very normal to occasionally feel anxiety: we all feel stress when things go wrong at work, when dealing with personal relationship issues, or while taking a test at school. But when anxiety becomes a regular or uncontrollable occurrence, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder. At KAV Mental Health & Psychiatry, we can help you understand how anxiety is affecting you — and how, together, we can manage it.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness, dread, or fear that’s excessive for the situation, which can cause people to sweat, have a rapid heartbeat, and feel tense and restless. It’s completely normal to occasionally have anxiety, and in some situations, it is a healthy bodily reaction. But when that anxiety lasts for a long time, or recurs frequently, it can make day-to-day life difficult. Some types of anxieties are caused by “triggers”: situations, locations, people, or any number of things that lead to excessive concern, worrying, and even panic
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health concerns in the U.S., and often keep people from doing the things they want or need to: they may avoid certain places or situations to prevent negative feelings. Anxiety can develop at any age, and usually worsens over time.
Types of Anxiety
There are a variety of anxiety disorders with distinct symptoms, and it is possible to have more than one. A few of the more common types include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Excessively worrying throughout the day, for a period of at least at least six months. People suffering from GAD can have anxiety about any number of things, including their health, social relationships, work, or changes to their routine.
Panic Disorder
Recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. Attacks can occur without reason or when triggered by certain stimuli. This can also lead to worrying about potential panic attacks, and the development of phobias such as agoraphobia.
Phobias
An intense, specific fear. Common examples are fear of heights (acrophobia), animals such as spiders (arachnophobia), confinement and tight spaces (claustrophobia), and fear of crowds, large spaces, and anywhere that’s hard to escape or get help (agoraphobia).
- Visible nervousness, restlessness, or tenseness
- Increased heart rate
- Hyperventilation
- Sweating
- A sense of impending panic or dread
- Trembling
- Difficulty focusing
- Problems sleeping
- Stomach or gastrointestinal issues
- Stressful and traumatic events, particularly in early childhood or adulthood
- Shyness, lack of confidence, or low self-esteem in childhood
- A family history of anxiety or other mental health disorders
- Some medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, can also be linked to anxiety
Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
Even if two people have the same anxiety disorder, they occur differently for everyone, and so symptoms can vary by individual. However, there are several common signals of anxiety:
- Visible nervousness, restlessness, or tenseness
- Increased heart rate
- Hyperventilation
- Sweating
- A sense of impending panic or dread
- Trembling
- Difficulty focusing
- Problems sleeping
- Stomach or gastrointestinal issues
Causes & Risk Factors of Anxiety
Environmental factors and genetics both contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder, though risk factors vary for each type of disorder. General risk factors for anxiety disorders often include:
- Stressful and traumatic events, particularly in early childhood or adulthood
- Shyness, lack of confidence, or low self-esteem in childhood
- A family history of anxiety or other mental health disorders
- Some medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, can also be linked to anxiety
Long-Term Effects of Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can dictate people’s decisions and interrupt their lives — and often prevents the person suffering from acting in their own self-interest.
Developing and maintaining personal relationships is more difficult, especially with social anxiety. It’s often difficult for those with anxiety to stay focused on work, handle workplace challenges, or push forward in their field. Ironically, uncontrollable worrying about potential problems creates many present problems, and holds someone with anxiety back in ways both small and large.
Anxiety can have detrimental effects on overall health, as well. In some cases, anxiety disorders can make symptoms of certain medical conditions worse, or even directly lead to stress-related health issues such as heart disease. Chronic anxiety disorders can increase the risk of other mental health disorders, such as depression and dementia. And unfortunately, it’s common for people to self-medicate, and develop substance abuse disorders as a result.
Anxiety Counseling with KAV Mental Health & Psychiatry
KAV Mental Health & Psychiatry’s certified medical team and licensed counselors are skilled in anxiety disorder treatment, providing patients with a comprehensive approach to mental health. Our process for treatment is personalized to each patient’s individual needs and can include the management of prescription medications coupled with anxiety counseling and therapy, which is offered via telehealth for at-home appointments.
We compassionately support each patient in route to uncovering the root causes of their anxiety, and work with them at their own pace to develop healthy coping mechanisms and ways to lessen anxiety’s intense emotions. Anxiety counseling with KAV Mental Health & Psychiatry can help patients remove a significant roadblock holding them back from success and happiness and help them work to take back control of their lives.