What is anxiety?
Anxiety is not only a normal part of life, it’s also an essential component of the survival of the human species. Anxiety fuels the fight or flight response that helps you determine when circumstances are unsafe.
Your body reacts to stressors by releasing a burst of adrenaline and other hormones to prompt action. Your heart beats faster, you might begin to sweat, and all of your senses heighten.
In modern human life, stressors don’t often come in the form of predators, but instead as worries about family, work, finances, and health situations. Because these stressors are consistently present, anxiety can build and sustain over time. This places an enormous toll on your body and can cause a cascade of health problems.
What are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders develop when fears or worries begin to overtake other aspects of your life. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, and some are further classified into subtypes.
Generalized anxiety disorder is a common problem. It’s characterized by a sense of restlessness, difficulty with concentration, sleep disruptions, irritability, and uncontrollable worry. These issues can make it hard to perform well at work, at home, and in social settings.
Panic disorders are another type of anxiety disorder. A panic disorder leads to sudden attacks of severe apprehension or terror. Sufferers might experience nausea, shaking, dizziness, confusion, and breathing problems. Some panic attacks occur immediately after a frightening experience, but others can happen in the absence of any clear triggering event.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop in people who have lived through a traumatic event. Most commonly associated with soldiers coming back from combat, PTSD also occurs in survivors of natural disasters, auto accidents, or domestic violence or child abuse. Symptoms of PTSD include severe emotional reactions to feelings or thoughts about the traumatic event, as well as attempts to avoid things connected to past trauma.
What are some treatments for anxiety disorders?
Dr. Ahmed uses an integrative approach to treating anxiety disorders. He begins with a thorough assessment to understand your history of anxiety in the context of your overall health, lifestyle, and family/social circumstances.
That breadth of information allows Dr. Ahmed to shape a treatment plan to suit your exact set of needs. For some, medication can help manage anxiety, especially when an anxiety disorder is debilitating.
The primary focus, however, is on treating anxiety without relying on medication. Dr. Ahmed uses psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other techniques to help you gain control over your anxiety and return to a healthier balance.
Dr. Ahmed also works with loved ones to help them better understand your experience with anxiety and teach them how to support you as you move through treatment and beyond. Often, anxiety takes a toll on friends and family, and being part of the treatment process is beneficial to everyone.
We see patients in the following locations: River Oaks, Webster, Baytown, and Houston, Texas. Call the office today to book your initial evaluation, or spend a few moments on the online scheduling page.
