Psychiatrist For Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect millions of people worldwide, encompassing a plethora of conditions such as generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, phobias, and more.
While it’s normal to experience occasional anxiety, persistent and overwhelming feelings of worry and fear can significantly impact daily life and overall well-being.
Seeking help from a private psychiatrist, just like The Therapy Company, who specialise in anxiety disorders can provide relief and support by taking full advantage of the available treatment options which may or may not be suitable for you.
For more information about private psychiatry for anxiety and how we can help, call us today at 01772 440321 or use our online contact form.
Alternatively, read the full blog post to find out more about:
•Diagnosis for Anxiety
•Treatments for managing Anxiety symptoms
•Symptoms of Anxiety and signs you need professional help
Diagnosis For Anxiety
The diagnosis process for anxiety disorders typically involves a comprehensive assessment conducted by our qualified private psychiatrists. This assessment aims to gather information about your symptoms, medical history, and psychosocial factors to determine whether an anxiety disorder is present and, if so, which specific type.
Here’s an overview of the diagnosis process for anxiety disorders:
Initial Evaluation – The process often begins with an initial evaluation, which may be conducted in person or via online assessments through secure portals, including Zoom. During this evaluation, qualified private psychiatrists will conduct a clinical interview to gather information about your symptoms, including the nature, frequency, duration, and severity of anxiety symptoms.
Diagnostic Criteria – The next stage of diagnosis is to use and compare symptoms from the evaluation against diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to determine whether the individual meets the criteria for an anxiety disorder. Here, there are individual criteria for a wide range of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and others.
Self-Report Questionnaires – Alongside the initial evaluation and the diagnosis criteria, we will also carry out a self-report questionnaire as part of the diagnosis process. These questionnaires can provide valuable information and help track changes in symptoms over time. Examples of commonly used questionnaires include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).
Psychiatry Treatments For Anxiety
Psychiatry offers a range of effective treatments for anxiety disorders, tailored to your needs and preferences. Treatments offered by The Therapy Company may include therapy, medication, and counselling.
Here’s an overview of private psychiatry treatments we offer for anxiety:
CBT – CBT, short for Cognitive-behavioural therapy, is a widely used type of talking and exposure therapy that is highly effective for several anxiety disorders. CBT focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to anxiety. Through CBT, you learn coping strategies, relaxation techniques, and problem-solving skills to manage anxiety symptoms effectively.
Medication – The Therapy Company may prescribe medications to alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders, particularly when therapy alone is insufficient. Certain types of medication, such as Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can help regulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain to reduce anxiety symptoms.
Counselling – Counselling for anxiety is a valuable form of therapy that can help individuals understand and manage their anxiety symptoms effectively. Counseling offers a safe and non-judgmental environment for individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to anxiety.
Symptoms Of Anxiety
There are various types of anxiety disorders and therefore, symptoms can vary from person to person.
Here are some common symptoms of anxiety:
Excessive Worrying: Persistent and uncontrollable worry about everyday concerns, such as work, health, finances, or relationships.
Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restful sleep due to racing thoughts or physical tension.
Avoidance Behaviour: Avoiding situations or activities that trigger anxiety, such as social gatherings, public speaking, or driving, in an attempt to alleviate distress.
Panic Attacks: Sudden and intense episodes of fear or discomfort, accompanied by physical symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, sweating, and trembling.
Shortness of Breath: Feeling breathless or experiencing shallow, rapid breathing, especially during periods of heightened anxiety or panic.
Irritability: Feeling easily annoyed, agitated, or on edge, even in situations that wouldn’t typically provoke such reactions.
Why The Therapy Company?
The Therapy Company is your 5-star-rated private physciatrists. From diagnosis to ongoing treatments and support, we are well-equipped and sufficiently qualified to help you on your journey to a healthier and happier life. We have an extensive team of private psychiatrists who are here to help today. You can visit our Meet the Team page here. Whether you’re seeking diagnosis and potential ongoing treatment for yourself or your child, we are here to help, providing a compassionate yet professional service for all patients.
Contact Us Today
Looking to get in touch with us today to arrange your initial appointment? For more information, please call us today at 01772 725530. Alternatively, if you prefer to email, use our online contact form and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours or less.
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Anxiety Psychiatry – FAQs
Private psychiatrists at The Therapy Company are highly-experienced in diagnosing and providing treatment for several types of anxiety disorders including: generalised anxiety disorders (GAD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders, specific phobias, and more. Individuals may experience symptoms that overlap across different anxiety disorders, and accurate diagnosis and treatment planning should be conducted by qualified mental health professionals.
You should consider seeing an anxiety psychiatrist if you are experiencing persistent anxiety and worry. If you’re finding that your anxiety is impacting your every day activities over a sustained period of time, it may be time to book an appointment with The Therapy Company to address anxiety-related concerns. Further signs that you need to seek professional help if you’re experiencing persistent physical symptoms or you’re regularly partaking in avoidance behaviours.
During your first appointment with The Therapy Company, you can expect to be made to feel relaxed and comfortable. Whether you arrange your appointment at our practice in Preston or via an online appointment, your well-being is always at the forefront of our priorities. During this initial appointment, we’ll ease you into the process by undertaking a comprehensive evaluation aimed at understanding your symptoms, medical history, and current functioning. Any questions you have for this initial session or for the future, will be answered honestly by our professional psychiatrist team to put your mind at ease.
It’s possible that for some patients combining medication and therapy is a suitable treatment plan. However, this is not suitable for all patients and suitability is down to an individual to individual basis. That’s why we provide an initial assessment where we’ll evaluate your history with anxiety and current symptoms. This forms the basis of an appropriate treatment plan. Types of therapies may include: EMDR, CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), and counselling.
Yes, of course, it’s completely normal. We understand how distressing it can be to navigate daily life with anxiety. It’s important to remember that seeking help for anxiety is a courageous and proactive step towards improving your mental health and well-being. While it’s normal to feel nervous or apprehensive about the process, it’s also important to recognise that you deserve support and assistance in managing your anxiety.
The duration of treatment will depend on a number of factors which include: complexity of your anxiety, severity of your symptoms, and the type of anxiety disorder. Our private psychiatrists will discuss this with and all potential treatment plans with you that are available to help you manage and / or alleviate anxiety-related symptoms.
The timeline for improvement in anxiety symptoms varies depending on factors such as the severity of the anxiety disorder, individual response to treatment, and treatment approach. Some individuals may experience symptom relief within a few weeks of starting treatment, while others may require several months to notice significant improvements.
While anxiety disorders cannot be “cured” in the traditional sense, they can be effectively managed with appropriate treatment. Many individuals experience significant symptom reduction and improvement in quality of life with a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle modifications. Ongoing management and support are typically necessary to prevent symptoms from recurring.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders can vary depending on the specific type of disorder but may include persistent worry, restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat or trembling. If these symptoms significantly interfere with daily functioning or quality of life, it may indicate an anxiety disorder.
During your initial appointment, the psychiatrist will conduct a comprehensive assessment to understand your symptoms, medical history, and any previous treatments. They may use standardised diagnostic tools and conduct a mental status examination to form a diagnosis and develop a personalised treatment plan.
