Anxiety Disorders Treatment
Anxiety disorders involve persistent worry, fear, or nervous system activation that goes beyond everyday stress. While anxiety can be a normal response to danger, an anxiety disorder occurs when these reactions become constant, overwhelming, or interfere with daily life.
At Gilbert Chandler Psychiatrists, anxiety is treated by experienced providers, including Dr. Mark Feinstein, DO, with decades of clinical psychiatry experience, and Brittany Khoury, PMHNP, who specializes in collaborative, patient-centered care. Our approach focuses on understanding the whole person — not just symptoms — and creating treatment plans that support long-term improvement and emotional stability.
Many people live with anxiety longer than they need to. With evidence-based care, meaningful improvement is possible.
What Is Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety is a natural response to stress or perceived danger. It helps protect us in truly threatening situations. However, when anxiety becomes persistent, intense, or disconnected from real threats, it may develop into an anxiety disorder.
An anxiety disorder is a condition where the body’s stress response stays activated even when no immediate threat is present. This can lead to excessive worry, physical symptoms, and avoidance behaviors that affect work, relationships, sleep, and quality of life.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are several forms of anxiety disorders, including:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Ongoing worry about everyday situations
- Panic Disorder: Sudden episodes of intense fear or panic attacks
- Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of social situations or being judged
- Specific Phobias: Fear of specific objects or situations (such as flying or heights)
- Separation Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of being away from loved ones
- Health Anxiety: Persistent worry about having a serious illness
While the symptoms vary, they all involve a heightened sense of fear or anticipation that feels difficult to control.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety can affect both the mind and body. Common symptoms include:
- Excessive or constant worry
- Feeling on edge or restless
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Rapid heart rate or chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
- Muscle tension or headaches
Some individuals experience panic attacks, which can feel sudden and intense, often accompanied by physical sensations that mimic medical emergencies.
How Anxiety Is Diagnosed
Anxiety is diagnosed through a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. This includes:
- A detailed conversation about symptoms and history
- Discussion of how anxiety affects daily functioning
- Review of sleep, stress, relationships, and physical symptoms
- Use of structured questionnaires when helpful
Diagnosis is based on clinical understanding, not just checklists. Building trust and understanding the patient’s lived experience is central to accurate diagnosis.
Causes and Risk Factors
Anxiety disorders usually develop from a combination of factors, including:
- Chronic stress or life pressure
- Past trauma or adverse experiences
- Learned thought patterns and worry habits
- Nervous system dysregulation
- Genetic predisposition
- Ongoing health concerns or sleep disruption
In many cases, anxiety builds gradually over time and becomes a default state rather than a response to a specific trigger.
Treatment Options for Anxiety
Anxiety treatment is individualized and may include one or more of the following:
- Psychotherapy, such as CBT or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Somatic and grounding techniques to regulate the nervous system
- Medication, when appropriate, to reduce symptom intensity
- Lifestyle and behavioral strategies, including sleep and stress support
The goal of treatment is not to eliminate all anxiety, but to reduce its impact and improve daily functioning.
How We Treat Anxiety at Gilbert Chandler Psychiatrists
Our approach to anxiety care is collaborative and patient-centered. Treatment focuses on:
- Understanding the root patterns driving anxiety
- Regulating the nervous system before deeper therapeutic work
- Teaching skills that help patients respond differently to anxious thoughts
- Using medication thoughtfully and conservatively when needed
Care plans are built around patient goals, preferences, and readiness. The therapeutic relationship itself plays a key role in long-term improvement.
Benefits of TMS for Treating Anxiety
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can be a helpful option for individuals with anxiety, particularly when symptoms are persistent or occur alongside depression. TMS works by targeting areas of the brain involved in emotional regulation and stress response. Potential benefits of TMS for anxiety include:
- Non-invasive, medication-free treatment
- Does not cause systemic side effects
- May reduce physical anxiety symptoms such as tension and restlessness
- Supports improved emotional regulation
- Can improve sleep and daily functioning
- Helpful for patients who have not seen enough improvement with medications
TMS is often considered when anxiety has been long-standing or when traditional treatments have not provided sufficient symptom improvement.
Benefits of Spravato® for Treating Anxiety
Spravato® (esketamine) is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and may also support improvement in anxiety symptoms when anxiety is closely linked with depression. It works on different brain pathways than traditional antidepressants and is administered under medical supervision in the clinic. Potential benefits of Spravato® include:
- May lead to faster symptom improvement compared to standard antidepressants
- Can reduce anxiety symptoms associated with depression
- Useful for patients who have not responded to multiple medications
- Administered in a controlled, monitored clinical setting
- Often supports better engagement in therapy
Spravato® is used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan and is not a standalone solution for anxiety.
Patient Story: Anxiety
History:
A patient presented with long-standing anxiety that had gradually worsened over several years. They experienced constant worry, nausea, racing thoughts, and frequent avoidance of social and work-related situations. Anxiety had begun to interfere with sleep, relationships, and daily functioning.
Treatment Approach:
Initial sessions focused on nervous system regulation using grounding and breathing techniques to reduce physical anxiety symptoms. Once baseline anxiety improved, therapy incorporated CBT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to address thought patterns and avoidance behaviors. Medication was discussed and used cautiously as a supportive tool, not the sole intervention.
Outcome:
Over time, the patient experienced improved emotional regulation, fewer physical symptoms, and increased confidence in managing anxiety-provoking situations.
Ongoing Journey:
With continued therapy and skill-building, the patient became more engaged in daily life, maintained better sleep, and developed long-term strategies to prevent anxiety from taking over again.
Everyday Coping Tools to Manage Anxiety
You don’t always need to overhaul your life to calm anxiety. Small, consistent habits can make a real difference:
- Practice deep breathing or mindfulness to slow racing thoughts
- Stay physically active—even short walks help release tension
- Limit caffeine and alcohol, which can quietly fuel anxiety
- Build a daily routine and protect your sleep schedule
- Use journaling to notice triggers and emotional patterns
- Talk it out with someone you trust instead of bottling it up
These strategies can help, but if anxiety keeps interfering with your work, relationships, or peace of mind, it’s time to bring in professional support. Getting help is a power move, not a weakness.
Book An Appointment
We provide complimentary consultation. One of our experienced doctors will discuss your concerns and provide guidance.
Call Us on (480) 256-9322 or fill the form below to receive a call back.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is anxiety always a disorder?
No. Anxiety is a normal response to stress. It becomes a disorder when it is persistent, excessive, and interferes with daily life.
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Anxiety often shows up physically, including stomach issues, headaches, muscle tension, and heart palpitations.
Do I need medication for anxiety?
Not always. Many people improve with therapy and behavioral strategies alone. Medication is considered based on individual needs.
How long does anxiety treatment take?
Treatment length varies. Some people notice improvement within weeks, while others benefit from longer-term care.
Can anxiety return after treatment?
Symptoms can fluctuate, but therapy focuses on building skills that support long-term emotional resilience.
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