Anxiety Disorders
Overview and impact of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can significantly impact daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. Recognising the signs, seeking help, and implementing coping strategies are crucial for managing and overcoming these challenges. Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive worry, fear, or nervousness. Common types include Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and specific phobias.
Symptoms
Physical symptoms may include rapid heart rate, muscle tension, restlessness, and sweating. Psychological symptoms often involve persistent and irrational worry, fear of specific situations, and difficulty concentrating.
Causes
Anxiety disorders can result from a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors as well as traumatic experiences, chronic stress, and family history may all contribute to the development of anxiety disorders.
Diagnosis
At Neuromed Clinic, diagnosis involves a comprehensive assessment by our consultant psychiatrists who carefully consider the duration and intensity of symptoms. We utilise highly evidence-based computerised assessment forms to aid in objectively diagnosing anxiety disorders. In addition, our psychiatrists rule out potential contributing medical conditions and substance misuse. Our thorough, precise diagnostic process allows us to develop targeted treatment plans to address the specific type and causes of anxiety for each patient. We understand the complexities of these disorders and tailor our assessments accordingly, with the goal of accurately identifying anxiety conditions to enable effective treatment.
Treatment Options
At Neuromed Clinic, our team commonly utilises psychotherapy including cognitive-behavioural therapy and exposure therapy as effective treatment approaches. Our psychiatrists may prescribe medications such as SSRIs in applicable cases when needed. We also offer neuromodulation therapies such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) that are proven to aid in anxiety treatment. In addition, our experts provide guidance on beneficial lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, and utilising support from friends and family that play crucial roles within a comprehensive treatment plan. We educate patients on self-help strategies like regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet to support overall mental well-being. Mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques such as deep breathing are also treatment options (from trained professionals) to help manage anxiety symptoms. While anxiety disorders may not always be entirely preventable, we focus on early intervention, stress management, building a strong support system and seeking professional assistance as early as possible as essential steps in anxiety management.