Fear plays a central role in human life and is an emotion that just about everyone knows well. Fear helps you avoid dangers and moves you through your life as safely as possible. It can be healthy and positive.
But if you become so fearful that your quality of life and daily functioning are severely impaired, it’s time to seek professional advice. You may have an anxiety disorder.
At Apex Medical Professionals, our medical team, led by Dr. Basel Batarseh and Dr. Walid Elkhalili, specializes in treating depression and anxiety when you’re losing sleep, feeling hopeless, or losing your ability to concentrate.
As needed, we prescribe medications that relieve symptoms by balancing brain chemicals, and we provide ongoing medication management. We monitor your response to medication and adjust your prescription as needed.
Anxiety often feels shameful, which is why so many people try hiding the painful symptoms. If you don’t get early treatment for disorders like anxiety and depression, they may become chronic problems, making them even more challenging to treat.
For example, you may avoid places and situations that trigger fear and anxiety, then withdraw more and more from everyday life.
Relatives and friends may not understand the problem, which can exacerbate the symptoms and lead to further tension and conflict.
Anxiety disorders are often the result of negative experiences that have become independent. Imagine that you’re riding a bus and suddenly experience strong heart palpitations, tremors, and nausea. You interpret this as a sign of an approaching heart attack and get off the bus as quickly as possible.
You calm down and feel better, but as a result, your fear of another bus trip increases, so you avoid bus trips. Ultimately, an anxiety disorder develops.
Depending on your situation, treatment for anxiety disorders might include medication, talk therapy, and even dietary changes. We decide which treatment is best, considering physical factors, other medications, and your personal preference.
If you’re helping a loved one seek treatment, try to be involved, at least at the beginning of the therapy, to build a feeling of togetherness and relieve the patient emotionally.
If you suspect that someone in your family may have an anxiety disorder, encourage them to see a doctor. Many times, people feel ashamed of their fears for reasons ranging from helplessness to self-denial to difficulty admitting to themselves that they need help. This is the greatest obstacle to healing.
Be open, communicative, and sympathetic. Show understanding for your loved one's fears. Make it clear that anxiety disorders are treated well with medications and through other methods. Talk openly about these problems with them, because this can help you both deal with the anxiety.
Let your loved one decide if and when they want your help, and respect their autonomy. Refrain from unwanted advice or excessive interference in your loved one's life. Interfering can hurt your family member and destroy trust. Instead, support them with advice and action.
This stands true for you, as well. If you’re dealing with anxiety, big or small, call us today to schedule a consultation at our Fair Lawn, New Jersey, office or request an appointment using our convenient online scheduling tool.
