Anxiety

Anxiety disorders affect roughly 40 million American adults and 25% of children between 13 and 18 years of age. At Reverence Behavioral Health Services in Oak Brook, Illinois, Akwetey Akrong, PMHNP-BC, brings an integrative approach to treating mental health conditions like anxiety disorders. To find a patient-centered approach to managing anxiety, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, apprehension, or fear in response to stress. These reactions can be healthy, but when they become extreme, interfere with your life, or last longer than six months, they can indicate other problems, like anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders are the most common kind of emotional disorder. Several different conditions fall under the anxiety disorder umbrella, such as:

• Phobias
• Panic disorders
• Separation anxiety disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  

Approximately 31.1% of American adults and 31.9% of adolescents will experience an anxiety disorder. While they can affect you at any age, anxiety disorders are usually more common in women than men and develop before 21 years of age.

What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?

The symptoms of an anxiety disorder can vary from person to person and depend on the specific disorder, but the most common emotional and physical symptoms include:

• Extreme terror or fear
• Irrational worry or thoughts
• Problems concentrating
• Headaches or fatigue
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Irritability or restlessness
• Tremors or twitches
• Rapid breathing or heart rate
• Frequent urination or diarrhea
• Nausea or upset stomach
  

In some cases, anxiety disorder symptoms can become so severe they’re debilitating.

What causes anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are typically due to genetic and environmental factors. These types of conditions are generally seen in families and are often associated with traumatic events, like chronic illness, violence, abuse, or death.

Some anxiety disorder symptoms can be triggered by underlying medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, or chronic health conditions.

How are anxiety disorders diagnosed and treated?

Reverence Behavioral Health Services takes an integrative and patient-centered approach to diagnosing and treating anxiety disorders. During your consultation, the team discusses your personal and family medical histories while performing thorough mental status and targeted physical exams that might include lab tests.

Based on your diagnosis, the team might recommend a variety of therapy options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), other types of psychotherapy, and other approaches, like stress management techniques or yoga.

Reverence Behavioral Health Services also brings a mind-body awareness approach to treatment that focuses on a personalized wellness routine and healthy diet that promotes proper digestion. In some cases, the team might also recommend herbal supplements to support your mind-body balance.

To learn more about anxiety disorders and treatment, call Reverence Behavioral Health Services or schedule an appointment online today.