29982 Ivy Glenn Drive, Suite 203
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Integrative Psychiatry and TMS
949-309-7903 frontdesk@yourmentalhealing.com
Even though anxiety is a normal emotion we are all faced with every once in a while, its presence becomes problematic when it is experienced too often.
This disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), which occurrs more days than not about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance). Anxiety affects both adults and children.
Anxiety and worry may be associated with:
-
Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on the edge.
-
Being easily fatigued.
-
Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank.
-
Irritability.
-
Muscle tension.
-
Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, restless unsatisfying sleep).
To be diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the condition should last for at least 6 months.
The most effective treatment of anxiety disorder is a combination of psychotherapy and medications.
Cognitive-behavior therapy is the most effective psychotherapeutic approach. Supportive psychotherapy offers patients reassurance and comfort. Insight oriented psychotherapy focuses on uncovering unconscious conflicts. Many people feel an improvement after taking part in psychotherapy, but others also require anxiolytic medications. Those that are most frequently prescribed are: Buspirone, Benzodiazepines, Effexor, Cymbalta, Inderal, and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro.
Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan, Xanax, Clonazepam, Valium, etc., should be used with caution, since users easily develop a tolerance and dependency.