Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a common mental health challenge in which you feel worried or fearful in situations that don’t affect most other people. While common, anxiety can diminish your quality of life and negatively affect your social skills, interpersonal relationships, work, or education. 

Dr. Gulino offers an array of treatments that reduce stress, tension, and other unpleasant symptoms of anxiety.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

The common symptoms associated with anxiety include:

• Ongoing worry of fear
• Nervousness, tension, or restlessness
• Sense of doom or danger
• Increased heart rate
• Hyperventilation
• Trembling
• Sweating
• Panic attacks
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Trouble concentrating
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Difficulty controlling worry
• Problems sleeping
• Avoiding people or things that trigger anxiety
• Appetite changes
• Depression
• Poor quality of life
• Drug or alcohol abuse

You may also have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is characterized by getting started easily, flashbacks, and nightmares of past traumatic events. 

What are the risk factors for anxiety?

The cause of anxiety isn’t always known, and it’s often linked with genetics and environmental factors. The common risk factors include:

• Medical problems
• Drug or alcohol misuse
• Some medications
• Family history of anxiety
• Childhood trauma
• Ongoing or severe stress
• Certain personality traits
• Depression

Getting treated for anxiety can help you overcome bothersome or crippling symptoms, and offers you a better quality of living. 

How does my provider diagnose anxiety?

To find out if you have anxiety and determine the most appropriate treatment, Dr. Gulino reviews your medical history, lifestyle habits, and your symptoms. He will complete a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation by asking about your thoughts, mood, and behavior patterns. He may also order labs or have your primary care doctor perform a physical exam to rule out certain physical causes of anxiety symptoms. He then tailors a personalized anxiety treatment plan just for you.

How is anxiety treated?

The main treatments for anxiety include:

Lifestyle changes

Adopting healthy habits is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety and other mental health challenges. Reduce stress, exercise regularly, spend time outdoors, eat nutritious foods, and avoid drug and alcohol abuse. 

Medication management

Taking medications can treat anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health disorders.

Therapy

Examples of therapies available at Beverly Hills Psychiatry include cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, marriage, or family counseling, and other types of counseling that help you reduce and overcome anxiety or PTSD.

To get treated for anxiety, call the Beverly Hills Psychiatry office or use the online booking tool today.