Anxiety Treatment in Seattle
At some point in life, everybody experiences anxiety. Since childhood, it’s common to feel anxiety at times such as before exams in school, and as people grow older, anxiety can be present in their lives for innumerable reasons. However, people with anxiety disorders tend to experience much more intense, persistent, and excessive worries and fears about routine situations that occur. And these feelings develop strongly and within minutes.
When they interfere with daily activities, when they are difficult to get under control, when the anxiety is unrelated to the size of the actual threat, these feelings of anxiety can wreak havoc with your life. Especially if they occur over long periods of time. However, you should know that there is hope and there are treatments available, no matter what type of anxiety you suffer from. Michael Boas, APRN, PMHNP-BC with extensive experience treating anxiety disorders and related mental health issues. Schedule a teleconference anywhere in Seattle or anywhere else in the state of Washington today.
Are there different types of anxiety disorders?
There are several anxiety disorders that have been identified, among them:
Generalized anxiety disorder – Many times accompanied by depression, this disorder includes excessive anxiety when faced with events or activities, no matter how routine. The degree of worry has no relation to the actual context. It is difficult to control to the point that it may physically impact the body.
Social anxiety disorder or social phobia – Involves high levels of fear in social situations which could be triggered by self-consciousness, concern with being judged, embarrassment, etc.
Separation anxiety disorder – Presents itself mainly in childhood and is triggered by fear of being separated from their parents or from whoever acts as their main caretaker.
Agoraphobia – This condition can manifest itself in a number of ways but Agoraphobic individuals often feel the sensation of being trapped or helpless. This anxiety often turns to panic, causing them to avoid situations that might trigger their reaction. Agoraphobia often leads to isolation.
Panic disorder – Panic attacks come on suddenly and are accompanied by true terror. They can proceed from a number of causes and situations, real or imagined. Other factors include shortness of breath, chest pains, feelings of impending doom, and heart palpitations. People who experience a panic attack from a situation live in fear and even avoid similar situations due to apprehension that it might trigger the feelings of panic again.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – As the name implies, this disorder has two components: uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over. Both can present themselves due to a myriad of events that can become very intrusive and disruptive in the life of those suffering from them.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – If you have experienced a terrifying event that involved the threat of harm or real physical harm, you may develop PTSD. The condition can occur when the threat or harm happens to a loved one or close friend and need not be experienced first hand to be diagnosed.
When should I consider telepsychiatry?
In some cases, your worries may disappear on their own. You may feel apprehensive or worried about a specific event, but once it has passed, so will your concern. On the other hand, you may also feel like you are always anxious about something going on in your life regardless of the size of the impact that thing will potentially have on your overall well being. This can be a constant obstruction to your ability to earn a living, interact with others, or enjoy life. If your worry is about a single situation and resolves after its done, you may not require telepsychiatry. On the other hand, chronic anxiety is unlikely to go away, and our free consultation can identify whether you would benefit from treatment Early treatment prevents the adaptation of negative coping mechanisms. In any event, it’s never incorrect to discuss your issues with someone in the psychiatric profession. Some signs that make it a necessity for you to see a psychiatric professional include:
- Feelings that you are worrying too much throughout your day, to the point that it is interfering with parts of your life such as your personal relationships or your work.
- Anxieties, worries, or fears that upset you and are difficult to control.
- Your anxiety has taken you to rely on alcohol or drugs
- You believe the anxiety was triggered by a medical condition
- If you have suicidal thoughts or behaviors, don’t wait. Seek help immediately.
Synergy Mental Wellness
Michael Boas, PMHNP-BC of Synergy Mental Wellness wants to be your first resource for your anxiety disorder. By providing you with excellent mental health services, no matter your issue, we will make your experience as convenient, smooth, and pleasant as possible.
We offer a caring, welcoming environment with state-of-the-art protocols, treatment, and testing. We understand that your worries may not improve over time if you don’t seek help. With our assistance, you can learn to manage your anxiety and live a healthy and productive life.