Anxiety

 

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent type of mental health condition in the United States. If you live with intrusive and persistent fears, contact TMS & Brain Health in Santa Monica or Los Angeles, California, for customized treatment. TMS & Brain Health offers conventional treatments for anxiety as well as cutting-edge therapies like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), neurofeedback, and Ketamine infusion therapy. Call TMS & Brain Health or request an appointment online today.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a mental health condition that causes persistent and intrusive fears and worries. Your worries are typically disproportionate to the situation and can interfere with your ability to complete day-to-day responsibilities and overall quality of life. There are several different types of anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder is the most common type of anxiety. It triggers anxiety about everyday responsibilities and situations. For example, you might worry about interacting with your manager or colleagues at work, or you might feel nervous about taking your car in for an oil change. Other common types of anxiety include: Panic disorder, Social anxiety, Separation anxiety, Specific phobias. If you have pervasive anxious thoughts or feelings, make an appointment at TMS & Brain Health. They can help you alleviate your symptoms and restore your quality of life.

What are the signs of anxiety?

 

In addition to your fears and worries, anxiety can manifest in a variety of disruptive symptoms, including:

  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Heart palpitations
  • Rapid breathing
  • Nausea
  • Insomnia
  • Reduced concentration
  • Avoidance behaviors

Anxiety and depression often co-occur, so you may also struggle with feelings of intense sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness.

Even if you experience some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, realize that anxiety is really an issue in the brain. Areas of the brain, such as the amygdala, trigger an individual’s “fight or flight” response by releasing a chemical called cortisol, which causes the rest of the body to engage a system of arousal called the sympathetic nervous system. When the sympathetic nervous system is engaged today, individuals may feel the same thing that our ancestors felt in the wild when we ran from predators. By targeting areas of the brain that control the sympathetic nervous system, we can keep the symptoms of anxiety at bay.

When should I talk to a doctor about anxiety?

Everyone feels stressed or worried from time to time. However, if your fears and nervousness are interfering with your ability to function, or are affecting your overall quality of life, it’s time to get help. Anxiety can affect anyone, and if you’re concerned about your mental health, the first step in getting better is talking to a professional.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Anxiety

 

TMS is not yet FDA-approved for anxiety, but there is strong research that suggests that TMS is a safe and effective treatment for anxiety. Unlike traditional anxiety medication such as benzodiazepines, TMS will not leave one sedated, confused, or physiologically dependent. One study by Bystritsky et al. (2008) examined right-side TMS for anxiety. The study showed that TMS was able to successfully reduce symptoms of anxiety by over 50% in 60% of participants. Additionally, a follow-up study reported that anxiety remained lowered after 6 months. Additionally, a study in 2016 by Kimberly Cress reported that TMS “shows significant promise for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.” Cirillo et al. reiterated that “TMS may be an effective treatment for GAD and PTSD” in a 2019 meta-analysis.

Ketamine Infusions for Anxiety

Ketamine infusions are another option for anxiety treatment for those who have not responded to traditional evidence-based talk therapy methods. Ketamine infusions are not yet FDA-approved for anxiety, but the research is very promising. While much of the newer research on Ketamine has been looking at depression, there have been studies that have examined the effectiveness of Ketamine for anxiety. For instance, Glue et al. (2017) examined the dose-response relationship of Ketamine in 12 individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and found that 10/12 of those individuals experienced a significant reduction of symptoms after Ketamine within just one hour. Taylor et al. (2017) also conducted a randomized controlled trial to look at Ketamine specifically for social anxiety disorder. He found that Ketamine performed significantly better than placebo, with the anxiolytic effects lasting for at least 2 weeks post-treatment.

What are my options for treating anxiety?

 

There is a wide range of treatment options for anxiety. TMS & Brain Health begins with a comprehensive evaluation to learn about your symptoms, lifestyle, and overall health. Then, after they diagnose your condition and understand your needs, they create a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and help you manage your negative thoughts.

The conventional treatment for anxiety is a combination of medication and therapy. Anti-anxiety drugs or antidepressants should relieve your symptoms so that you can focus on exploring and resolving your fears and developing coping strategies in therapy.

However, medication doesn’t always work the way it’s expected to, or you might experience intolerable side effects. TMS & Brain Health offers alternative treatments such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), neurofeedback, and ketamine infusions to alleviate anxiety.

If anxiety is disrupting your quality of life, call TMS & Brain Health or request a consultation online today.

Find out if our treatment programs are right for you

Let us help you today!