Experiencing fear and worry occasionally is normal and should disappear with time, but if the worry is too intense and frequent, you may be struggling with an anxiety disorder. An Irvine anxiety expert offers a wide range of treatments that can help you overcome fear occasioned by an anxiety disorder.
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What does it mean to have anxiety?
Anxiety refers to intense and persistent fear in reasonably stressful situations such as the first day of school, first dates, and interviews. This experience is very normal and occurs to everyone occasionally. It is normal to experience anxiety that does not interfere with your life, but it becomes a problem if it occurs more frequently with intense fear and panic that does not allow you to lead a normal life. In this case, it can lead to serious mental and physical health conditions. If your feelings of anxiety and fear are taking a toll on you, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
What common types of anxiety disorders can influence your lifestyle?
Triggers of anxiety disorders are not usually clear, but they commonly come from stressful situations, and sometimes genetic predispositions. There are different forms of anxiety disorders, but they all have a common symptom: extreme fear and worry. Some of the forms of an anxiety disorder include:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
This anxiety disorder triggers flashbacks of traumatic memories, causing nightmares that often result in depression, mental health conditions, and drug abuse.
Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder
This anxiety disorder triggers intense worry about simple tasks, such as preparing a meal. This disorder disorients you and affects your ability to focus on essential issues, which eventually affects your relationships with friends and family. This disorder can also affect daily routines such as work and other activities. Panic disorder displays symptoms similar to generalized anxiety disorder, but are more frequent, leaving you frozen and terrified.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
This disorder is a frequent reoccurrence of certain fears and obsessions that lead to compulsive behaviors. This disorder causes extreme phobias of certain objects that may not be posing any danger.
What are the available treatment options you can get for anxiety?
The most effective way of dealing with an anxiety disorder is adopting a healthy lifestyle of eating healthy, exercising regularly, and addressing the underlying cause of stress. The Americas TMS Center team aims to treat your disorder by helping you make several changes in your lifestyle and prescribing medicines such as antidepressants and anxiolytic drugs. The team may also prescribe low doses of antipsychotic and anticonvulsant drugs along with cognitive behavior therapy to treat your disorder. In severe cases, the team may also perform transcranial magnetic stimulation, a non-surgical treatment that adjusts your brain functioning safely.
If anxiety is taking control of your life and minimizing your chances of enjoying the rewards of life, contact Americas TMS Center through a phone call, or make an appointment online.
