Anxiety is a common emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. Nearly everyone experiences some anxiety in their life. However, for some people, anxiety can become an all-consuming and debilitating problem known as an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. They can cause tremendous suffering, fatigue, and interfere with one's ability to carry out daily tasks. The most common types of anxiety disorders are:
What are the symptoms of an anxiety disorder? Common symptoms include:
The specific symptoms can vary greatly depending on the type of anxiety disorder. Panic attacks, for example, often involve heart palpitations, shaking, and a feeling of "impending doom".
What causes anxiety? Anxiety disorders have no single cause. Often there is a complex interplay between biological factors, such as genetics or brain chemistry, and life experiences, such as trauma or stress. Certain factors seem to increase the risk such as personality type, drug/alcohol abuse, and serious health problems.
How is anxiety treated? Effective treatment options for anxiety disorders include:
For severe anxiety that does not respond to self-help strategies or short-term therapy, long term treatment may be warranted. At Hormone Health Center, we specialize in using bioidentical hormone therapy to help treat mood disorders like anxiety. Imbalances in hormones like cortisol, progesterone, and estrogen in both men and women can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Our compassionate providers create fully customized hormone treatment plans to help patients find relief.
Overall, while anxiety is a challenging condition, the good news is that it is treatable through proven techniques. Reach out today if your anxiety is making life difficult - you deserve to feel better! Let us know if you have any other questions.