Anxiety and Panic Disorders

What are Anxiety and Panic Disorders

Anxiety and panic disorders are common mental health conditions characterized by persistent feelings of fear, worry, and apprehension that can significantly impact daily life.

Symptoms of anxiety and panic disorders can vary widely, from persistent worry and irritability to sudden, overwhelming feelings of panic. These challenges can interfere with work, relationships, and overall quality of life, causing individuals to avoid situations or activities that trigger anxiety or panic attacks.

Schedule a 20 Minute Free Consultation

Symptoms of Anxiety and Panic Disorders:

Excessive worry or fear – Persistent, uncontrollable anxious thoughts that interfere with daily life and feel impossible to turn off, even when there’s no immediate threat.
Restlessness or feeling on edge – A constant feeling of being keyed up or unable to relax, as if your nervous system is always in overdrive waiting for something bad to happen.
Difficulty concentrating or focusing – Racing thoughts and mental fog that make it hard to complete tasks at work or school, leaving you feeling frustrated and unproductive.
Irritability – Feeling short-tempered or easily annoyed with others, often because the underlying anxiety is exhausting and overwhelming your emotional resources.
Muscle tension or headaches – Physical manifestations of anxiety including tight shoulders, jaw clenching, or frequent tension headaches that won’t respond to typical pain relief.
Fatigue – Feeling exhausted even after a full night’s sleep because anxiety depletes your energy and keeps your body in a constant state of stress.
Sleep disturbances – Trouble falling asleep due to racing thoughts, waking up throughout the night with worry, or experiencing nightmares related to your fears and anxieties.
Avoidance of triggers or situations that may provoke anxiety – Increasingly limiting your life by staying away from places, people, or experiences that might cause panic, which can lead to social isolation.
Sudden and intense episodes of fear or panic (panic attacks) – Overwhelming physical sensations like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, or feeling like you’re losing control or dying, often occurring without warning.

Interference with Daily Life and Prevalence:

Anxiety and panic disorders can interfere with various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and overall well-being. Individuals may avoid social situations or activities they once enjoyed due to fear of triggering anxiety or panic attacks. Performance at work or school may suffer due to difficulty concentrating and persistent worry. Relationships may be strained by constant anxiety or the need to accommodate avoidance behaviors.

Despite its prevalence, anxiety is highly treatable with therapy, medication, or a combination of both. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), approximately 40 million adults in the United States are affected by anxiety disorders each year. Seeking help from a BeWELL therapist or practitioner can provide effective strategies for managing anxiety and improving your overall quality of life.

How BeWELL Can Help You Find Relief from Anxiety and Panic Disorders

Living with anxiety or panic attacks can feel isolating and overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this alone. At BeWELL Psychotherapy and Wellness, our licensed therapists in NYC and Hoboken specialize in treating anxiety disorders and panic disorders using proven, evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique needs.

Our Approach to Anxiety Treatment

Our experienced anxiety therapists use research-backed methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, and mindfulness techniques to help you manage worry, reduce panic attacks, and regain control of your life. We create personalized treatment plans that address your specific symptoms and goals, whether you’re dealing with generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, or specific phobias.

What to Expect

In your first session, we’ll take time to understand your anxiety symptoms and triggers. You’ll learn practical coping skills you can use immediately when anxiety strikes. Throughout treatment, we’ll work together to break the anxiety cycle and build long-term resilience, not just manage symptoms in the moment.