What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a group of mental health disorders characterized by feelings of intense concern about certain situations that interfere with your day-to-day activities. Anxiety, stress, and fear are all normal human emotions. However, when your anxious feelings are irrational or disrupt your life, you may benefit from talking to a psychiatrist like Dr. Marquez-Floyd.
Anxiety manifests in a variety of ways. The most common form of anxiety is general anxiety disorder, which causes intense, fearful feelings about regular day-to-day concerns such as your job, family, health, or minor responsibilities. Other prevalent types of anxiety include social anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
While anxiety is prevalent in adults, it’s also common in children. Many children experience worry or irrational fear at some point, but if these feelings become persistent and don’t go away with time, your child may have an anxiety disorder.
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
In addition to intense fears and worries, anxiety can cause other symptoms, including:
- A sense of doom or danger
- Concentration problems
- Increase heart rate
- Sweating and trembling
- Fatigue and weakness
- Disrupted sleep
Children with anxiety tend to feel afraid when they’re away from home or have phobias of certain things or situations, such as dogs, insects, or people. They can also experience a sense of fear about the future.
If anxiety is getting in the way of your relationships or responsibilities, schedule a consultation with Dr. Marquez-Floyd for professional help.
What causes anxiety?
Medical researchers believe anxiety is often a hereditary issue; if a member of your family has anxiety or depression, your chances of developing the condition increase. Anxiety is also triggered by traumatic experiences and other lifestyle factors, including neglect, abuse, and poverty. Certain personality types are also more prone to anxiety than others.
How is anxiety treated?
Dr. Marquez-Floyd treats anxiety in children and adults with customized counseling sessions. She begins your treatment with a comprehensive assessment. Once she understands your needs, she creates a customized treatment plan to help you identify the issues at the root of your anxiety and learn to recognize your feelings and adapt your behaviors.
As you work with Dr. Marquez-Floyd, you’ll learn techniques to manage your feelings and maintain a healthy and active life. If you’re living with anxiety, call Estelita Marquez-Floyd, M.D., or make an appointment online today.
