Anxiety: More Than Just Worry
Everyone feels anxious sometimes. Before a big presentation, a medical procedure, or an important conversation — some degree of anxiety is a normal human experience. But when anxiety becomes persistent, overwhelming, or interferes with daily life, it may signal an anxiety disorder that deserves proper medical attention. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting over 40 million adults.
At Mediversity’s behavioral health department in Turnersville, NJ, we provide evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders — combining therapy, medication management, and holistic care.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Persistent, excessive worry about many different areas of life — work, health, finances, family — that is difficult to control. People with GAD often describe feeling ‘on edge’ most of the time, even when there is no obvious reason to worry.
Panic Disorder
Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks — sudden surges of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms (racing heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, feeling of unreality). The fear of having another panic attack often becomes debilitating.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Intense fear of social situations and being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated in front of others. This goes beyond shyness — it can prevent people from attending work, school, or social events.
Specific Phobias
Intense, irrational fear of specific objects or situations (heights, flying, needles, animals) that leads to avoidance behavior.
Health Anxiety (Illness Anxiety / Hypochondria)
Excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness, often accompanied by frequent medical appointments or avoidance of medical care out of fear of bad news.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
Psychological Symptoms
- Persistent, excessive worry
- Racing or intrusive thoughts
- Difficulty concentrating — mind goes blank
- Irritability
- Feeling of dread or impending doom
- Avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations
Physical Symptoms
- Rapid heart rate (palpitations)
- Shortness of breath or feeling of chest tightness
- Muscle tension and headaches
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances — difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Gastrointestinal problems — nausea, stomach pain, irritable bowel
- Sweating, trembling, or shakiness
Anxiety Treatment Options
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The gold-standard psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. CBT helps patients identify and challenge the thought patterns that fuel anxiety, develop coping strategies, and gradually confront feared situations in a controlled, supported way (exposure therapy). Research consistently shows CBT is highly effective — and its benefits persist long after treatment ends.
Medication
Several medication classes are FDA-approved for anxiety disorders:
- SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): First-line treatment — sertraline, escitalopram, paroxetine. Take 4–6 weeks to reach full effect.
- SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors): Venlafaxine and duloxetine are effective for GAD and social anxiety.
- Buspirone: Non-addictive anti-anxiety medication particularly useful for GAD.
- Benzodiazepines: Fast-acting but reserved for short-term use due to dependence risk.
- Beta-blockers: Used situationally for performance anxiety (presentations, public speaking).
Lifestyle and Integrative Approaches
- Regular aerobic exercise (shown to reduce anxiety symptoms as effectively as medication in some studies)
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
- Sleep hygiene optimization
- Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake
- Breathing techniques and progressive muscle relaxation
When to Seek Help
Consider reaching out for professional help when anxiety:
- Persists most days for more than 6 months
- Interferes with work, relationships, or daily activities
- Leads to avoidance of important life situations
- Is accompanied by physical symptoms that affect your quality of life
- Includes panic attacks
Behavioral Health at Mediversity — Turnersville, NJ
Our behavioral health team provides integrated care for anxiety disorders, combining therapy and psychiatric medication management. We serve patients across South Jersey from our Turnersville and Salem locations, with telehealth options available. Learn more about our behavioral health services or schedule a consultation today.