Anxiety

Approximately 31.1% of American adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point, and 9.4% of American children and adolescents have an anxiety diagnosis. Rondeshya “Ronnie” Cosby, NP, and the expert team at Bright Shadows Telepsychiatry provide specialized anxiety care to patients aged 12 and older in and around Virginia and North Carolina. The compassionate team offers convenient virtual appointments and several effective treatments for anxiety. Call the friendly staff today or request an appointment online.

What is anxiety? 

Anxiety consists of mental health disorders that cause pervasive and often disproportionate worries and fears lasting longer than six months. 

Distress around work, school, health, finances, or relationships may be the root of your or your child’s anxiety. Brain chemistry or family history may also cause an anxiety disorder.
There are several types of anxiety, including:

• Social anxiety disorder
• Agoraphobia
• Specific phobias
• Panic disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Women are more than twice as likely as men to have anxiety, and hormonal changes during menstruation may also lead to anxiety symptoms. 

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Adolescents and adults have similar physical signs of anxiety, including: 

• Racing heart 
• Hot flashes 
• Trembling or sweating 
• Shortness of breath 
• Fatigue 
• Unexplained muscle aches or pain
• Sleep issues 
• Headaches or migraines
• Digestive issues

You may have panic disorder if symptoms appear suddenly without an apparent trigger. 

Emotional signs of anxiety include: 

• Persistent apprehension or dread
• Overthinking 
• Restlessness 
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability 
• Jumpiness 
• Believing a situation is threatening when it isn’t 

Adolescents may feel stressed about school or social situations and often try to avoid them. They may also be afraid to be away from their parents, which is separation anxiety. 

What are my anxiety treatment options? 

Bright Shadows Telepsychiatry may recommend a combination of treatments. 

Psychotherapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that helps you or your adolescent understand the root of the anxiety. Through multiple virtual sessions, therapy helps confront and manage places, situations, or people that trigger worry or fear.  

The practice offers individual or family therapy. 

If anxiety has led to phobias, exposure and response prevention (ERP) allows you to approach situations or objects safely that you perceive as a threat. 

During therapy sessions, you can learn mindfulness and self-soothing techniques, and the team may recommend meditation or journaling. 

Medications 

Antidepressants can alleviate anxiety by preventing nerve cells in your brain from reabsorbing serotonin — a chemical that regulates your mood.

You may benefit from benzodiazepines  for acute anxiety. The team discusses their risks and benefits with you before prescribing them, as they can be habit-forming. 

Call Bright Shadows Telepsychiatry today to learn more about anxiety treatment or request a virtual consultation online.