Do you feel worried about health, finances, relationships?
Are you restless, keyed up, or on edge?
Do you have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested after sleep?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from anxiety.

ABOUT ANXIETY

Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness, fear or worry, which can be a normal reaction to stress. For example, a moderate degree of anxiety can help one study hard for an exam, deal effectively with a difficult situation at work or at home, or stay focused on an important presentation. Sometimes however, symptoms of anxiety can become so intense that they are overwhelming and paralyzing. When this kind of problematic anxiety persists over a period of time, it can be described as an "anxiety disorder". Both acute and chronic anxiety can lead to physical symptoms - for example anxiety can contribute to high blood pressure, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal distress, and difficulty sleeping. If you suffer from anxiety, you are not alone. Over 20 million adults in the United States have experienced some form of anxiety disorder including: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY?

The cause of anxiety and anxiety disorders is not fully known, however, brain chemistry, genetic predisposition, and environmental stressors can all play a role in the development of anxiety. For example, anxiety may be associated with abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals which transmit information from one brain cell to another in the brain). Research has also demonstrated that problems with anxiety tend to run in families and may be passed on from one generation to another. Finally, traumatic or stressful events such as abuse, the death of a loved one, divorce, or a change in job or school can all trigger anxiety.

TREATMENT OF ANXIETY

Most anxiety disorders are treated with psychotherapy and/or medication such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax or Ativan, or beta-blockers. Medication has potential side effects however. Approaches such as biofeedback, neurofeedback, relaxation training, and mindfulness techniques are alternative treatments for anxiety which are safe, noninvasive, and eliminate the possibility of side effects. These approaches can be used alone or in combination with each other and with psychotherapy. Although I do not prescribe medication, if you decide you would like to explore this option, I would be happy to refer you to a professional who can talk with you about this aspect of treatment.