Supporting a Loved One with Severe Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental health disorder in the United States. Data show that about 40 million people in the U.S. experience symptoms of an anxiety disorder each year, with symptoms developing in most people before they turn 21. 

Unfortunately, only about one-third of those people receive treatment for their disorder, often due to misheld beliefs about the nature of mental health conditions and treatments.

At Sidhu Psychiatric in Palm Harbor, Florida, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Kanwaljit “Kavi” Sidhu, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, and her team specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with anxiety disorders. Keep reading to learn more about anxiety disorders and how you can support someone battling this mental health condition.

What are anxiety disorders?

The term "anxiety disorder" refers to a group of psychiatric disorders that all manifest with extreme fear or worry, and they often include both emotional and physical symptoms. The latter of which may include rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing. Some common disorders are:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

GAD is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about anything and everything. Patients anticipate disaster around every corner and start to fear the worst about everything from money to health, even when there’s no cause for concern. The disorder comes on gradually, with the greatest risk between childhood and middle age.

Panic disorder and panic attacks

People who experience panic disorders develop spontaneous attacks of overwhelming fear surrounding a person or object. They then become more fearful of a recurring attack, which creates a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The disorder usually starts in adulthood, though it’s not unheard of in children. Some 6 million adults experience panic attacks in the U.S., which are twice as common in women as men.

Specific phobias

People who experience specific phobias have a strong, irrational fear when in the presence of specific objects, people, or situations. They work hard to avoid the people and places that cause them distress. They may also be aware that their fear has no rational basis, but they feel powerless to stop the panic from occurring. Even thinking about the fear causes them extreme anxiety.

Most phobias arise without warning and may occur in situations that previously caused no discomfort or anxiety.

A number of other anxiety disorders include social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), each with unique features that make them separate anxiety disorders.

How are anxiety disorders diagnosed?

The physical symptoms of anxiety disorders can often be confused with other medical conditions. To understand the problem, the provider takes a detailed medical history, performs a physical examination, and orders lab tests.

After ruling out any other conditions, they use the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5) to identify the specific anxiety disorder responsible for your symptoms, as well as any other possible disorders involved.

What treatments are available for anxiety disorders?

After an evaluation, we customize a treatment plan to meet each patient’s specific needs. It may include any or all of the following:

Psychotherapy

Also called “talk therapy,” psychotherapy must be tailored to the patient’s specific anxieties to be effective.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is a rising star of psychological treatment. It helps patients learn to think, behave, and react to anxiety-producing objects and situations in new, beneficial ways. CBT also helps with acquiring and practicing social skills that allow you to interact with others without panic.

Cognitive therapy and exposure therapy are two CBT methods often used, either together or by themselves. Cognitive therapy teaches the patient to identify, challenge, and then neutralize unhelpful or distorted thoughts that fuel their disorder. 

Exposure therapy has the person physically and emotionally engage in activities they avoid because their disorder sends them flying into a panic. By confronting the fear, the person can lessen its power over them.

Medication

Medication is not a “cure” for anxiety disorders, but it can help to lessen the intensity of symptoms to allow a person to work through their problems. Some medications commonly prescribed are:

• Anti-anxiety drugs such as benzodiazepines
• Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Beta-blockers, which are heart medications used “off-label” 

Medication in combination with CBT can prove particularly effective.

To learn more about anxiety disorders, or to schedule a consultation for treatment, call Sidhu Psychiatric at 727-382-1383 or contact us online today.