Anxiety Disorder

An anxiety disorder causes intrusive thoughts, shortness of breath, and other debilitating symptoms that negatively affect your physical and emotional health. At JC Health Group, personalized treatment plans are available for adults and children with persistent anxiety, panic attacks, or phobias. Jessy Nwuba, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, provides diagnostic assessments and tailors a care plan using medications and therapy to help you stay in control of your anxiety symptoms. Schedule an anxiety disorder consultation online today or call the Colonial Heights, Virginia, office.

What is an anxiety disorder?

Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stressful situations. However, having persistent anxious feelings or intrusive thoughts is often a warning sign of an anxiety disorder.

Several anxiety disorders affect kids and adults. JC Health Group offers diagnostic evaluations and treatments for conditions like the following:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

GAD causes excessive worries about your family, health, finances, and other circumstances that interfere with your daily life.

Panic disorder

Panic disorder causes sudden attacks of overwhelming fear or feelings of doom for no identifiable reason.

Phobia

A phobia describes an intense fear of a specific person, place, or object disproportionate to the actual circumstances.

Risk factors for an anxiety disorder can include family history, environmental influences, trauma, and stress.

When should I seek medical help for an anxiety disorder?

Schedule a consultation at JC Health Group if you or your child experience symptoms of an anxiety disorder, such as:

• Persistent worrying
• Intrusive or negative thoughts
• Being easily started
• Rapid heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Feelings of detachment

You can also meet with Dr. Nwuba to discuss specific phobias. She provides a comprehensive mental health assessment and may request bloodwork or other diagnostic tests to identify underlying health issues that trigger anxiety symptoms.

Anxiety evaluations and follow-up visits are available in the office and through the online telehealth platform. 

How is anxiety treated?

JC Health Group offers customized care plans to treat symptoms of an anxiety disorder and prevent the onset of new anxiety or panic attacks.

Dr. Nwuba may recommend a combination of psychological counseling and medications to control anxiety symptoms.

Psychological counseling

Psychological counseling, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), helps you understand patterns of negative thinking and behaviors. Therapy also provides mindfulness tools to improve your mindset and learn new ways of thinking about and reacting to your circumstances.

Medications

If psychological counseling sessions aren’t enough to control your anxiety symptoms, you may benefit from anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications. The medications work by boosting chemicals in your brain to regulate your mood and provide lasting relief from anxious feelings and intrusive thoughts.

Dr. Nwuba can also suggest lifestyle and diet changes to enhance your physical and emotional wellness.

Call JC Health Group today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of an anxiety disorder or book an appointment online.