Anxiety And Depression Specialists

What is anxiety and when does it become a disorder?

Anxiety develops as you anticipate something that feels like a threat. For example, you may be anxious about your first date or your first day on the job, but then your anxiety subsides once the “threat” has passed.

As anxiety persists and becomes overwhelming, people can’t control their apprehension. They may avoid the situation that triggers anxiety or feel paralyzed by fear. When your anxiety interferes with your daily life, whether relationships with family and friends or activities, it’s time to seek professional attention.

What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders cause emotional and physical symptoms. In addition to feeling apprehensive, you may feel tense, jumpy, irritable, or filled with dread. Physical symptoms triggered by anxiety include sweating, an upset stomach, a pounding heart, shortness of breath, and frequent urination. Severe anxiety may also cause insomnia or a panic attack.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Everyone knows what it’s like to occasionally feel down and depressed. The classic symptoms of depression include:

• Less interest in activities
• Feeling sad
• Hopelessness
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Can’t eat and lose weight or eat too much and gain weight
• Agitation and restlessness
• Slow thinking and trouble concentrating
• Unexplained physical problems
• Thoughts of death or suicide

When should you seek help for depression?

When you feel depressed on any level, please consider contacting Dr. Boulware for professional advice. Like any other health condition, early treatment is more effective and can prevent depression from progressing to become a more serious, potentially life-threatening condition.

If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, please seek help immediately at your local emergency department.

How are anxiety and depression treated?

Anxiety and depression are treated with psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medication because an imbalance in brain chemicals plays a role in both disorders. As medication is used to restore brain chemicals back to normal, depression lifts and anxiety is diminished.

Dr. Boulware may prescribe one or more medications, depending on your personal needs. Some of the most commonly used antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.

Antidepressants are sometimes used to relieve anxiety. Tranquilizers are also prescribed to treat anxiety, as well as beta blockers, which help block the stress hormone norepinephrine.