It’s perfectly normal to experience anxiety in a stressful situation, but anxiety that’s overwhelming or difficult to control could point to an anxiety disorder. At Dr. Sambunaris & Associates in Alpharetta, Georgia, expert psychiatrist Angelo Sambunaris, MD, regularly helps patients ease their symptoms of anxiety. To learn more about treatment, call or use the online booking tool to request an appointment today.
request an appointmentWhat is an anxiety disorder?
An anxiety disorder is a serious medical condition marked by intense, ongoing feelings of fear or unexplained worry that get worse over time.
Anxiety is a perfectly normal response to fear or a perceived threat, but anxiety disorders are excessive and interfere with all aspects of your life.
Some people only experience anxiety in certain situations, while others suffer from generalized anxiety — anxiety that seems to have no apparent cause.
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Anxiety affects everyone differently and symptoms vary between adults and children. One common sign of anxiety is a feeling of excessive worry, even if nothing is wrong. In some cases, these fears become so overpowering, it’s impossible to get out of bed or go to work or school.
Other common symptoms of generalized anxiety disorders include:
- Ongoing fatigue
- Irritability
- General restlessness
- Increased heartbeat
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sweaty palms
- Difficulty falling asleep
Many people also experience stomach cramps, diarrhea, and a feeling of tightness in their chest.
Who gets anxiety?
Anxiety affects men, women, and children alike. Researchers aren’t entirely sure why certain people get anxiety disorders and others don’t, but certain things can increase your risk.
For example, people with a family history of anxiety or other mental illness are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety. Other contributing factors include environment or experiences.
Certain physical conditions like heart arrhythmias and thyroid problems are also linked to anxiety.
What treatments are available for anxiety?
To find out if you have an anxiety disorder, Dr. Sambunaris does a series of thorough in-office tests. He also does a physical exam to rule out any underlying health conditions.
If Dr. Sambunaris determines you do have an anxiety disorder, he develops a customized treatment plan that helps you address your symptoms.
Whenever possible, Dr. Sambunaris takes an alternative, holistic approach to anxiety treatment. In addition to= prescribing traditional antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, he also looks at whether you might be a good candidate for ketamine therapy and/or healthy lifestyle changes like healthy eating and regular exercise.
Throughout treatment, Dr. Sambunaris keeps an eye on your progress, making adjustments here and there as necessary.
Book an appointment online or call Dr. Sambunaris & Associates to find an effective treatment for your anxiety.