Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a normal response to certain situations. However, if you experience anxiety daily and if it’s disrupting your quality of life, you may need to see Stephanie Nnamchi, NP, at Vigor Health Services in Alpharetta, Georgia. She and the mental health team have the expertise to treat anxiety disorders. If you have symptoms of extreme anxiety, schedule an appointment by phone or online today. The practice offers telehealth services in Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. You can also book an in-person appointment.

Is anxiety normal?

Experiencing occasional anxiety is normal and can be a necessary part of life. It's a natural response to stress or perceived threats, preparing your body to react in challenging or dangerous situations. However, if you have feelings of anxiety that become excessive, persistent, and interfere significantly with your daily life, you may have an anxiety disorder.

What are anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders involve a range of mental health conditions characterized by intense, prolonged, and disproportionate feelings of fear, worry, or apprehension. These disorders can affect your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical well-being.

Common types of anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): excessive worry about various aspects of life
• Panic disorder: sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort
• Social anxiety disorder: fear of social situations
• Specific phobias: fear of objects or situations, such as spiders, heights, flying, or enclosed spaces

If you identify with these, your Vigor Health Services provider can help.

When should I see a doctor for anxiety disorders?

You should seek professional help at Vigor Health Services if your symptoms significantly disrupt your daily life, interfere with your work, relationships, or personal well-being, or when your anxiety becomes too difficult to manage on your own.

See your provider if your symptoms are:

• Persistent over time and aren’t improving
• Causing distress or impairment in functioning
• Accompanied by physical symptoms that seem unrelated to a medical condition
• Causing you to avoid everyday situations

The Vigor Health Services team can provide effective treatment that may include therapy and counseling, medications, lifestyle changes, self-help strategies, and support groups.

What are the different types of anxiety disorders?

While there are many anxiety disorders, they present in various ways. For example, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can cause you to have recurring thoughts that you can’t shake, along with repetitive behaviors you feel compelled to do.

Another type includes eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, which involve disturbances in your eating behaviors, body image, and emotions. 

In addition, sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or nightmares disrupt your normal sleep patterns, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and impaired functioning. 

Each has its specific symptoms and can significantly impact your mental health, behaviors, and overall well-being, which often require specialized treatment.

If you struggle with signs of any type of anxiety disorder, schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment at Vigor Health Services today by calling or booking online.