Anxiety

You don’t have to live with crippling worry or fear caused by anxiety when there are treatments available to help. Michelle Mottern, PMHNP, FNP, and the team at Mosaic Brain Health in St. Petersburg, Florida, offer compassionate care without labels and effective treatments to ease symptoms of anxiety and anxiety disorders. Call Mosaic Brain Health to make an appointment. You can also request an in-person or telehealth visit online, which is fast and easy.

What is meant by anxiety?

Anxiety disorder is a common mental health condition that can make typical life situations feel very uncomfortable. If you or a loved one is experiencing anxiety disorder, it may cause panic attacks or have you avoiding everyday situations due to ongoing worry and fear.

Having anxious feelings from time to time is quite normal. However, if you experience anxiety every day or symptoms are affecting your quality of life, treatment is available and can help.

What are some signs of anxiety disorder?

Signs and symptoms of anxiety may include any combination of the following:

• Nervousness or restlessness
• Constant fear or worry
• Sweating or trembling
• Problems sleeping
• Fear of social situations
• Overthinking situations
• Difficulty focusing
• Depression

If you or a loved one is experiencing anxiety, you may avoid places, people, or things that cause anxious feelings. Triggers that don’t bother most people might make you feel fearful.

 Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or even debilitating in some cases.

What causes anxiety?

While the cause of anxiety isn’t entirely known, some risk factors may contribute to anxiety disorder. These include:

• Chemical imbalances in the brain
• Family history of anxiety
• Ongoing or extreme stress
• Past trauma
• Other mental health conditions
• Having an illness or disease
• Substance use

Some research suggests that certain personality traits might contribute to the development of anxiety disorders, including being shy or timid, wanting to be in control of everything at once, or being easily flustered.

How are anxiety disorders diagnosed? 

To determine if you or a loved one has anxiety or an anxiety disorder, your skilled and compassionate  Mosaic Brain Health provider reviews your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. She also asks about any medications you’re taking, your emotions, and behavior patterns.

The team then tailors a customized treatment based on your needs and goals. 

How do you treat anxiety?

If you or your child is being treated for anxiety, the team might suggest one or more of the following treatments:

Psychotherapy

In combination with lifestyle recommendations and medicines, your provider may recommend psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help patients cope with anxiety by making behavioral changes.  

Lifestyle counseling

Making changes to lifestyle habits, like getting regular exercise, eating healthy foods, and making quality sleep a priority, can help reduce symptoms of anxiety.

Psychopharmacology

Your provider might also recommend anti-anxiety medicines (if needed). Psychopharmacology or medication management can reduce side effects and ensure your medicines work safely and effectively.

To learn more about anxiety and available treatments, reach out to Mosaic Brain Health. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or request one online today.