Anxiety

Nearly one-third of teens and adults spend their days with anxiety, and all too often, their anxiety is severe enough to affect their quality of life, interfering with their performance at work or school. If you struggle with ongoing anxiety, you can get exceptional care at HumuHealth Psychiatry: Olukemi Kuku, DNP, PMHNP. Dr. Kuku has successfully helped many people return to an anxiety-free life with therapy and medication management. To schedule an in-person or telepsychiatry appointment, call the office in Fairfield or Pleasant Hill, California, or book online today.

When should I seek help for anxiety?

Anxiety is the feeling you develop when you anticipate or face a difficult situation. You may feel anxious as you approach the first day of a new job, when you’re stuck in traffic, or as a result of an illness or threatening situation.

The anxiety that’s part of daily life comes and goes. As soon as you feel anxious, your brain releases hormones that energize your body to deal with the challenge. Then your mind and body relax as soon as the situation is over.

Anxiety crosses the line and becomes a problem when you can’t shake the worry or dread. It’s time to seek help when your anxiety becomes frequent or uncontrollable, sticks around when you don’t face a known threat, or makes you avoid people, places, and activities.

What symptoms does anxiety cause?

You can develop several anxiety disorders, and each has symptoms that set it apart. For example, social anxiety disorder causes intense fear when you need to meet new people or perform in front of others. By comparison, generalized anxiety disorder is a constant sense of dread over everyday issues like finances, your job, and children.

In addition to fear and dread, all types of anxiety cause symptoms such as:

• Restlessness
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle aches
• Stomach aches
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Insomnia
• Difficulty concentrating

Severe anxiety can also cause a panic attack. These attacks appear out of the blue and often mimic a heart attack. For example, you may have dizziness, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.

How is anxiety treated?

If you have severe anxiety, a phobia, or panic attacks, you may need medication. Anti-anxiety medications work quickly, allowing you to take them as soon as you feel symptoms or when you anticipate a difficult situation. Some people improve with antidepressants, which can ease anxiety even if you’re not depressed.

With or without medication, therapy is the long-term solution to anxiety. The team at HumuHealth Psychiatry: Olukemi Kuku, DNP, PMHNP, has years of experience using several therapeutic approaches proven to reduce anxiety. 

One of the most effective, cognitive-behavioral therapy, teaches you to recognize and change negative thoughts that contribute to your anxious feelings.

Don’t let anxiety take over your life. Call HumuHealth Psychiatry: Olukemi Kuku, DNP, PMHNP, or request an appointment online today.