As the most common mental illness in the United States, anxiety affects over 40 million people, or over 18% of the population.  This means that you or someone you know is likely to suffer with this condition.  Often unseen, only about one third of those with anxiety seek treatment.  Worries, fears, and concerns become overwhelming, and create a thought and behavior pattern that inhibits a person from living a full life.

Anxiety can stem from various sources, and can be expressed in a range of irrational actions.  It often develops when a person is under more stress than they can handle, there is no resolution to the stress, and they have no constructive way to move forward past it.  These feelings can be greatly disproportionate to what a logical reaction would be.  The feelings of worry or doubt can become out of control, and dominate a person’s mind.

Those with anxiety may feel panic for no external reason.  They may have trouble sleeping, a need to chew on objects, fidget, or be unable to hold still.  They may be unable to remain calm, and can develop panic attacks that include headaches, hyperventilation, heart palpitations, dry mouth, sweaty palms, dizziness, and nausea, among many other symptoms.

Some of the sub-types of anxiety include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Social Anxiety, and Phobias.  Each of the more specific types of anxiety can have specialized treatment plans to help patients find the calm in their mental storm.

Some patients who suffer with anxiety have an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, and many times there is no known cause for this.  Those with anxiety are more prone to other disorders, such as depression.

Medication is a common way to begin a treatment plan for anxiety.  While some people find that some level of medication helps them to remain in a more healthy mental state, adding other therapies can help a patient to be less dependent on these medications.

Other therapies include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Group Therapy.  TMS Therapy in particular has shown great benefits for patients in resolving anxiety symptoms and regaining control of their lives.  In addition, some patients have benefitted from meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and biofeedback to help them shift their thought patterns and change their behaviors.