Anxiety

Up to 30% of Americans experience anxiety that affects their quality of life. If you regularly feel stressed out or irritable and it prevents you from work or other activities, seek treatment. At Open Door Wellness Center, the team of expert mental health counselors specializes in diagnosing and treating anxiety. To make an appointment, call the office in Great Falls, Montana, or book online today.

What is an anxiety disorder?

An anxiety disorder causes excessive worry or fear that persists or worsens over time. Without intervention, it can negatively affect your entire life, from professional to your relationship with family and friends. 

Feeling worried and fearful in specific contexts is normal. After all, anxiety is your body's natural response to a perceived threat. An anxiety disorder triggers excessive worry that doesn’t improve.

Anxiety can occur in specific situations, like social situations, or you may experience general anxiety.

Does anxiety present symptoms?

Anxiety affects everyone differently. You may worry about people or events, even when it's evident that nothing is wrong.

Other symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder may include:

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Muscle aches
• Increased heart rate
• Irritability
• Restlessness

Some people also experience problems with their gastrointestinal system, which can result in frequent nausea and/or diarrhea.

Does anxiety increase my risk of other issues?

If you have anxiety, you might also experience other health problems, including:

• Suicidal thoughts
• Substance abuse
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Chronic pain
• Depression
  

Some people with anxiety withdraw from their friends and family. You may also have issues functioning at work or school; without adequate medical intervention, your quality of life can suffer.

Who is at risk of experiencing anxiety?

Anyone can experience an anxiety disorder, but several factors may increase your risk, including trauma, stress caused by underlying medical issues, or having relatives with anxiety. Lifestyle factors may also increase your risk. For example, using drugs or alcohol can worsen anxiety symptoms.

How is anxiety treated?

Your Open Door Wellness Center provider performs a diagnostic evaluation and discusses your symptoms in detail to determine if you have an anxiety disorder. They also perform a physical exam to ensure an underlying medical issue doesn't cause your symptoms.

If your provider determines you have an anxiety disorder, they design a customized treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. 

If anxiety disrupts your daily life, the team may prescribe anti-anxiety medications. You take these medications daily, and they help reduce uncomfortable symptoms, improving your mood, outlook, and behavior.

The team monitors the effects of these medications and may recommend changes during follow-up visits.

To receive treatment for anxiety, make an appointment at Open Door Wellness Center by calling the office or booking online today.