Some may consider Cambridge, MA, to be a suburb of Boston, but the town, which spans six square miles across the Charles River from the greater metropolis, is a separate city. The city is most known for the college communities around MIT and Harvard, which account for little under 30% of the population. 

It is distinguished for its superb schools, walkability, environmentally concerned ethos, diversity, welcoming climate, and, of course, its history. However, a good quality of life at Cambridge doesn't always guarantee sound mental health. Anxiety is a common part of life. Humans are designed to deal with anxiety regularly. 

However, what isn't common is finding someone to process certain anxiety triggers with a professional Cambridge anxiety psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are qualified to provide talk therapy and psychosocial therapies in addition to prescription drugs for persons with anxiety. Anxiety can be treated with exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). 

What To Know About Anxiety

All of us experience anxiety at least once in our lives. However, for the vast majority of us, it is just fleeting. When fear or acute physical reactions appear alongside anxiety, it is an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders come in several forms. They include everything from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) to phobias. Understanding how the disorder affects a person in many circumstances can be obvious, especially if it's linked to PTSD or OCD.

However, high-functioning anxiety is tougher to recognize, mostly because those living with it appear to be fine– but deep inside, they're not. Anxiety makes functioning daily difficult for those who are suffering from it. 

Restlessness, jitteriness, weariness, difficulty concentrating, and muscle tightness are signs of generalized anxiety disorder. Panic attacks, which are bouts of acute dread induced by an object or scenario and can last minutes, are common in people with anxiety disorders.

Common Types Of Anxiety Disorders 

Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, particular phobias, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder are all anxiety disorders.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A generalized anxiety disorder is indicated by excessive worry and chronic worry. Constant stress and tension may result in physical symptoms such as restlessness, feeling on edge, fatigued quickly, difficulty concentrating, muscle stiffness, or sleeping problems. 

Worries about daily things like job commitments, family health, or minor issues like chores, car maintenance, or appointments are common.

Panic Disorder

Recurrent panic attacks, an overpowering combination of physical and psychological anguish, are the most common sign of panic disorder. Several of these symptoms occur simultaneously during an attack:

  • Palpitations, pounding heart, or rapid heart rate
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Feeling of shortness of breath or smothering sensations
  • Chest pain
  • Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or faint
  • Feeling of choking
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Chills or hot flashes
  • Nausea or abdominal pains
  • Feeling detached
  • Fear of losing control
  • Fear of dying

Panic attacks may be expected, such as a response to a feared object, or unexpected, apparently occurring for no reason. The mean age for onset of panic disorder is 20-24. Panic attacks may occur with other mental disorders such as depression or PTSD.

Anxiety About Social Situations (previously called social phobia)

A person with a social anxiety disorder experiences significant anxiety and discomfort about being embarrassed, humiliated, rejected, or looked down upon in social encounters. People suffering from this illness will either try to avoid the circumstance or endure it with great anxiety. 

A common fear is public speaking, meeting new people, or eating or drinking in public. Fear or anxiety that lasts at least six months causes problems with daily functioning.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

A person suffering from a separation anxiety disorder is terrified of being separated from persons they are attached to. The feeling is excessive for the person's age, lasts for a long time (at least four weeks in children and six months in adults), and interferes with functioning. 

The symptoms of separation anxiety include constant worrying about losing the person closest to you, being hesitant to leave the house or sleep away from that person, or having nightmares about separation. Symptoms of distress usually appear in childhood, but they can persist throughout adulthood.

How Do Psychiatrists Treat Anxiety Disorder?

A psychiatrist is a mental health specialist. They can treat anxiety using various approaches, including medication and psychotherapy. Their unique requirements will determine the optimal treatment for the patient. Here are some of the treatments that psychiatrists employ to assist in relieving anxiety disorder symptoms:

  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
  • Benzodiazepines 
  • Psychotherapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Exposure therapy 

Some psychiatrists prefer to treat anxiety medically and refer their patients to a psychologist for extra therapy. Others like to work closely with patients and use various therapy methods. If you wish to learn more about the fundamentals of finding the right anxiety psychiatrist, read on.

Patients can also choose a psychiatrist specializing in both or collaborate with many practitioners. Both practitioners can share notes and information with the patient's agreement, allowing them to work together to offer superior treatment.

Finding The Right Cambridge Anxiety Psychiatrist For Treatment

Seeking treatment for anxiety is a step-by-step one that can only work if you work with the right psychiatrist. Patients will benefit from various treatment plans based on what works best for them.

Luminous Vitality Behavioral Health offers telehealth psychiatry which may be the best alternative if you require a more convenient but still high-quality telehealth treatment plan with psychiatric support. Aside from Cambridge, our services are available in Boston, Springfield, and more. 
We have professional psychiatrists who can properly conduct telemedicine and treat diseases with apt mental health treatment. Book an appointment with us on our Luminello page to schedule a consultation.

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