Anxiety

You may feel alone if anxiety takes hold of your life, but anxiety is the most common mental health disorder among children, teens, and adults. No matter what type of anxiety you face, you can overcome the challenge with treatment from Tamara Elassal, LPC, NCC, and the compassionate psychiatry and mental health therapists at Mind Meadow. Call the office in Fairfax, Virginia, today or book online to request an in-person or telemedicine appointment and begin therapy that frees you from anxiety’s hold.

How does anxiety affect my health and well-being?

Anxiety arises when you face an irritating, worrisome, or frightening situation. These anxious feelings are beneficial because they trigger your body’s fight-or-flight response, giving you the focus and energy to face the challenge.

You should relax after dealing with the situation, but that doesn’t happen for everyone. Instead, some develop frequent or constant anxiety.

Anxiety stops being helpful when you struggle with fear without facing a current or anticipated challenge. Or, anxiety may force you to change your daily routine to avoid anxiety-provoking situations.

When anxiety becomes overwhelming, your mind stays on high alert and stress hormones flood your body. Both take a toll on your mental and physical health.

What type of anxiety could I develop?

You could develop any of the following anxiety disorders:

• Generalized anxiety disorder: Overwhelming worry over everyday concerns
• Panic disorder: Sudden, unexpected, and recurring panic attacks
• Agoraphobia: Powerful fear of leaving the place where you feel safe
• Specific phobia: Intense fear of an animal, activity, or object
• Separation anxiety disorder: Extreme anxiety when apart from family or caregivers
• Social anxiety disorder: Fear of social events, new people, and performing in front of others)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) isn’t an anxiety disorder. OCD is driven by uncontrollable thoughts that compel repetitive behaviors. However, anxiety is the overriding emotion that comes from obsessive thoughts.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arises from trauma, but anxiety is one of the top symptoms of people who have PTSD.

What symptoms does anxiety cause?

Anxiety often occurs together with depression, and all anxiety disorders can cause any of the following symptoms:

• Fear, worry, dread
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty concentrating
• Racing heartbeat
• Excessive sweating
• Panic attacks

Panic attacks appear suddenly, causing symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing, and dizziness.

How is anxiety treated?

The skilled Mind Meadow providers specialize in therapy, an essential treatment to support a life free from overwhelming anxiety. Your therapist may recommend individual, couples, or family therapy.

Their therapists often use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a widely used and highly effective treatment for anxiety. They also have extensive experience in other anxiety therapies, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness, and stress management. 

Don’t keep living with anxiety. Call Mind Meadow today or use online booking to request an appointment and begin therapy that guides you into an anxiety-free life.