Anxiety

Anxiety disorder is the most common mental illness in America, affecting approximately 40 million adults. Fortunately, David Kalkstien, MD, PhD, and the expert providers at David Kalkstein & Associates provide innovative anxiety care for adults at locations in Rehoboth Beach and Wilmington, Delaware, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Treatments like medication, psychotherapy, and innovative neuromodulation technologies improve your daily life and well-being. If you’re interested in learning more, reach out online or by phone today.

What is anxiety? 

Anxiety, or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), is a mental health condition in which you worry excessively. This can cause uncontrollable distress around your health, family, school, or job. 

Your provider at David Kalkstein & Associates may diagnose you with GAD if these feelings have persisted for longer than six months. 

If left untreated, anxiety can snowball into panic attacks or social anxiety. It may also lead to severe phobias — intense fear of things like bugs, heights, or certain places. 

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Mental symptoms of anxiety include: 

• Overthinking 
• Restlessness 
• Indecisiveness 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Irritability 
• Trouble managing worry
• Believing a situation is threatening when it isn't

Physical signs of anxiety include: 

• Sleeping problems
• Constant unexplainable fatigue 
• Nervousness 
• Headaches or migraines
• Sweating 
• Muscle aches or pain 
• Digestive problems 

Your provider conducts a comprehensive psychiatric consultation before developing a treatment plan for you.

What are my anxiety treatment options? 

Treatment options promote healthy electrical and chemical signals in your brain and overall well-being.

Medications 

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

Your provider may recommend Spravato®, a fast-acting nasal spray, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. 

They may prescribe benzodiazepines like Xanax® and Valium® for acute anxiety but are used sparingly as they can be habit-forming. Buspirone is another medication that you can use long-term.

Psychotherapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a successful form of talk therapy where your provider works with you to develop healthy behavioral and thinking patterns that alleviate anxiety and worry. 

Exposure therapy is helpful if you have phobias and allows you to safely approach situations or objects you feel anxious about or usually avoid.

Your provider may also recommend lifestyle changes like meditative techniques, exercise, or support groups. 

Brain stimulation 

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a neuromodulation technique that delivers magnetic pulses into your brain. These pulses alter nerve cell activity in areas that regulate mood. 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) uses brief, controlled electrical pulses to cause a seizure in your brain that lasts for approximately one minute. This is a successful solution for anxiety if other treatments haven’t worked. 

Before moving forward, your provider helps you fully understand these procedures and their benefits and risks. 

Call David Kalkstein & Associates today or book an appointment online to learn more about anxiety treatment.