Anxiety

Anxiety services offered in Frisco and Little Elm, TX

Over 19.1% of American adults suffer from an anxiety disorder, and 7% of children and adolescents have issues with anxiety. Pratibha Agarwal, MD, Krishnendu Ghosh, MD, and the expert providers at AG Psychiatry offer anxiety treatments to patients aged 4 and older in and around Frisco, Texas. Whether seeking care personally or for a family member, the compassionate team offers virtual appointments that help your provider determine effective care, like psychotherapy, medications, and lifestyle tools to improve your daily life. Call the practice today or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment.

Anxiety Q & A

What is anxiety?

Anxiety consists of a group of mental health disorders that cause extreme feelings of worry that last for longer than six months. Distress around work, school, health, pregnancy, finances, or relationships may be the root of your or your child’s anxiety.

Sometimes anxiety manifests only as generalized feelings of uneasiness, or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), but it can also develop into panic attacks and phobias.

Although the cause of anxiety is unknown, brain chemistry, family history, or trauma may lead to the disorder.

Women are more than twice as likely as men to have anxiety, and hormonal changes during a menstrual cycle may also lead to anxiety symptoms.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Children and adults have similar physical signs of anxiety, including:

Racing or pounding heart
Hot flashes
Shortness of breath or hyperventilation
Fatigue
Muscle aches or pain
Trembling or sweating
Insomnia
Headaches or migraines
Upset stomach, diarrhea, or frequent urination

If you are experiencing these in short bursts, or if symptoms appear suddenly without an apparent trigger, you may be suffering from panic disorder. Your provider can discuss the difference between anxiety and panic disorder at your consultation.

Emotional signs of anxiety can include:

Apprehension or dread
Overthinking
Restlessness
Irritability
Tenseness
Believing a situation is dangerous when it isn’t
Trouble focusing

Children and adolescents may dread or feel distressed about school or social situations and often try to avoid them. In adolescents, anxiety can lead to mood disorders, eating disorders, or self-destructive behaviors which require immediate treatment.

Anxiety can also come as a result of another condition, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Patients with OCD may experience uncontrollable or repetitive thoughts that, unactioned, may result in severe anxiety.

What are my anxiety treatment options?

AG Psychiatry is passionate about treating anxiety holistically with a combination of treatments.

Medications

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that can alleviate anxiety by preventing nerve cells in your brain from reabsorbing serotonin — a chemical that manages your mood. Lexapro®, Zoloft®, and Prozac® are effective options.

Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax® and Valium,® can be addictive, so your provider may only prescribe them for acute anxiety.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that helps you or your child understand the roots of your anxiety. Through repeated virtual sessions, your provider enables you to process thoughts or situations that trigger fear or worry.

For some children and adolescents, involving parents in therapy may be helpful.

If anxiety has led to phobias, your provider may recommend exposure therapy that helps you engage directly and safely with situations or objects you fear.

During therapy sessions, your provider may encourage meditation, improved diet and physical activity, journaling, or support groups.

Call AG Psychiatry today to learn more about anxiety treatment or book a virtual consultation online or in-person appointment.