Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the U.S. East Coast Telepsychiatry provides expert medication management and psychiatric evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, and related conditions via secure video visits.
The short answer
What causes anxiety, and why do I feel anxious all the time?
Anxiety can be influenced by genetics, stress, trauma, sleep disruption, medical conditions, medications, or substance use. Feeling anxious most of the time can also be a sign of an anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety. A qualified clinician can review your symptoms, history, functioning, and safety to identify likely contributors and discuss treatment. Anxiety is common and treatable, but a screening result alone cannot diagnose it.
Common Symptoms
- Excessive, hard-to-control worry
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Panic attacks
- Physical tension or headaches
- Avoidance of triggering situations
- Sleep disturbances
Common questions
- How do you deal with panic attacks?
- During a panic attack, move to a safe place, slow your breathing with a longer exhale, and gently name things you can see and feel around you. Panic symptoms often peak and pass, but new, severe, or medically concerning symptoms should receive urgent medical attention. Ongoing panic attacks deserve a professional evaluation because therapy, medication, or coordinated care may help.
- Can a psychiatrist help with anxiety?
- Yes. A psychiatrist or other qualified psychiatric prescriber can evaluate anxiety symptoms, consider medical and medication-related contributors, discuss medication when appropriate, and coordinate with a therapist. An appointment does not guarantee a prescription; recommendations depend on the individual evaluation.
- Why can't I stop overthinking?
- Persistent overthinking can be connected to anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, sleep problems, or other health factors. Notice when the thoughts occur, write down the worry and what you can control, and use a brief grounding or slow-breathing exercise; if the pattern is persistent or interferes with daily life, a professional evaluation can help identify the cause and treatment options.
- Is an online psychiatrist for anxiety a reasonable option?
- Online psychiatric care can be appropriate for anxiety when you have a private space, reliable technology, and your provider determines virtual care is clinically suitable. East Coast Telepsychiatry provides secure video visits for eligible patients physically located in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, or New York.
Written and reviewed by Amy Pharr, APRN, FPMHNP-C — Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Source: NIMH: Anxiety Disorders