Anxiety

Managing life with anxiety can feel isolating, particularly when it affects your performance at work or school. At Avighna Holistic Care in Raleigh, North Carolina, the team of mental health specialists provides top-notch care for patients with anxiety disorders. If you struggle with persistent anxiety, you’re not alone: nearly 1 in 5 Americans has an anxiety disorder, and 1 in 3 will combat this issue during their lives. The experienced team can help you regain control of your anxiety and reclaim your life. To learn more about anxiety, call Avighna Holistic Care or schedule an appointment online today.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a common mental health disorder that causes overwhelming feelings of worry, fear, and dread. Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. It’s normal to feel anxious about an upcoming job interview or a new relationship.

For those with an anxiety disorder, however, these feelings are amplified during moments that typically wouldn’t trigger anxiety. If you have anxiety, you may feel worried or fearful during your everyday life. Anxiety can negatively impact your performance at work or school, your relationships, and other aspects of life.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

The symptoms of anxiety manifest differently in each person, but some common signs of this mental health condition include:

• Increased heart rate
• Shallow breathing
• Trembling or shaking
• Sweating
• Feelings of dread or impending doom
• Nervousness
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Insomnia
• Feeling physically tense
• Trouble concentrating
  

How anxiety affects you often depends on the type of disorder you have. While some people experience general anxiety, others specifically suffer from social anxiety, separation anxiety, or even panic disorder, which causes intense episodes of fear or terror.

What causes anxiety?

Experts don’t currently know the exact cause of anxiety, but certain risk factors that can trigger the condition include:

• Childhood abuse or trauma
• Having a close relative with anxiety
• Drug or alcohol use
• Extreme stress
• Having another mental health disorder, like depression
  

In some cases, an underlying medical condition can lead to anxiety. Diabetes, thyroid disorders, and heart disease are just a few conditions that can trigger anxiety.

What are the treatments for anxiety?

At the beginning of your visit, the team at Avighna Holistic Care records your height and weight, checks your vitals, and performs a physical exam to rule out any underlying health conditions as the cause of your anxiety. 

Once the team has the information they need for your medical records, they can determine the right treatment for your anxiety. Anxiety typically requires a multifaceted approach to care. 

Certain medications, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, and benzodiazepines (sedatives), can help relieve many of the symptoms of anxiety. However, medication is rarely the only course of action for anxiety treatment.

The team may refer you to a counselor or therapist to help you overcome many of the challenges that anxiety presents in your everyday life. Certain types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help eliminate unhelpful thoughts and behaviors in your life.

Along with medication and therapy, the team at Avighna Holistic Care may recommend certain lifestyle changes. Reducing your caffeine consumption, exercising, and following a healthy diet are just a few ways to minimize anxiety at home.

To learn more, call Avighna Holistic Care or schedule an appointment with the team online now.