Anxiety

Up to 31% of adults experience an anxiety disorder at some time during their lives. Everyone has anxious feelings occasionally, but if they continue for weeks and affect your quality of life, treatment is crucial. At CareStop Behavioral Health in Warner Robins, Georgia, Terrill Cooper, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, specializes in diagnosing and treating anxiety. Cooper uses a holistic and integrative treatment approach that may combine counseling, medication, and lifestyle changes. Call CareStop Behavioral Health to schedule anxiety treatment or book an appointment online today. 

Are anxiety and an anxiety disorder the same thing?

Many people use the terms anxiety and anxiety disorder interchangeably, but they aren’t the same.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear. It’s a normal human emotion often triggered by stressful events, like public speaking or interviewing for a job. 

Anxiety disorder

An anxiety disorder causes you to feel worried or fearful for days, weeks, or even months at a time. Without treatment, it can affect your quality of life and/or trigger panic attacks. Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety disorder symptoms may include:

• Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
• Having an increased heart rate
• Feeling a sense of impending danger or doom
• Trembling
• Sweating
• Feeling weak or tired
• Difficulty sleeping

Many people with anxiety have ruminating thoughts. For example, you might find yourself thinking about embarrassing moments in your past. Obsessing over uncomfortable situations makes it difficult to focus and can affect your relationships and work performance.

How do you diagnose anxiety or an anxiety disorder?

Dr. Cooper reviews your medical history and asks about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. He completes an exam and compares his findings to the criteria for anxiety in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

If Dr. Cooper determines that you have an anxiety disorder, he develops a personalized treatment plan to reduce uncomfortable or unwanted symptoms and improve your quality of life.

How is anxiety treated?

At CareStop Behavioral Health, Cooper treats anxiety using a holistic and integrative approach. He could suggest:

• Counseling to help you manage anxiety symptoms
• Online resources through Better YOUniversity
• Anti-anxiety medication
• Antidepressants
• Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs
• Exercising regularly
• Eating healthy
• Making sleep a priority
• Practicing stress management techniques, like yoga and meditation

Most people with anxiety benefit from a combination of treatments. However, Dr. Cooper only uses medication when necessary. To ensure positive outcomes, he takes a conservative approach, initiating medication management with the lowest effective dose. Dr. Cooper monitors each patient closely for potential side effects and adverse reactions, making adjustments when needed.

How long does it take for anxiety treatment to work?

The time it takes for anxiety treatment to work depends on the underlying cause and severity of your symptoms. Cooper encourages you to be actively involved in treatment decisions. He values your voice and takes your feedback into account.

Because anxiety can be challenging to treat, Cooper monitors your symptoms at regular checkups. At each visit, he reviews his notes, adjusts your medication dosages, and makes tweaks to your treatment plan to optimize your results. 

Carefully follow Cooper’s instructions and be patient. 

Call CareStop Behavioral Health to explore anxiety treatments, or book your appointment online today.