Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions, yet it affects every person differently. While occasional worry is a normal part of life, persistent anxiety can interfere with work, school, relationships, and everyday activities. At Royal River Psychiatric Care in Yarmouth, Maine, Julie Smith, PMHNP, and the team provide compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals experiencing anxiety and related mental health concerns. Through comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, diagnostic assessments, cognitive and behavioral assessments, and personalized treatment plans, the practice helps patients better understand their symptoms and work toward lasting relief. To schedule an anxiety consultation, call the office or request an appointment online today. 

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a mental health condition characterized by excessive fear, worry, or nervousness that persists beyond normal day-to-day stress. While everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, an anxiety disorder involves ongoing symptoms that can become overwhelming and interfere with daily functioning.

Several types of anxiety disorders exist, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. Anxiety may also occur alongside depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other psychiatric conditions. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation helps determine the specific diagnosis and guides the most appropriate treatment plan.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety symptoms vary from person to person but often include both emotional and physical experiences. Common symptoms include:

• Excessive or uncontrollable worry
• Feeling restless, tense, or on edge
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Trouble sleeping or frequent waking
• Racing thoughts
• Rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating or trembling
• Muscle tension
• Digestive discomfort or nausea
• Panic attacks

Because these symptoms can overlap with other medical or mental health conditions, a professional psychiatric assessment is essential for an accurate diagnosis.

How is anxiety diagnosed?

Diagnosing anxiety begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation that explores a patient's symptoms, medical history, family history, lifestyle, and emotional well-being. Royal River Psychiatric Care performs detailed diagnostic assessments to determine whether anxiety is present and whether another mental health condition may also be contributing to symptoms.

Cognitive and behavioral assessments may be used to better understand thought patterns, emotional responses, attention, memory, and behavioral functioning. When clinically indicated, suicide and self-harm risk assessments are also completed to ensure patient safety and appropriate intervention. This thorough approach allows providers to develop an individualized diagnosis rather than relying solely on symptom checklists.

How is anxiety treated?

Effective anxiety treatment is personalized to each patient's needs, diagnosis, symptom severity, and treatment goals. After completing a comprehensive evaluation, your Royal River Psychiatric Care provider develops an individualized treatment plan designed to reduce symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

Treatment may include medication management, psychotherapy referrals, lifestyle recommendations, stress management techniques, and ongoing psychiatric follow-up. Patients with co-occurring conditions such as depression, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, or bipolar disorder receive integrated care that addresses all contributing factors rather than treating anxiety alone.

With early diagnosis, compassionate support, and evidence-based treatment, many individuals experience significant improvement in their symptoms.

If you need help managing your anxiety, call Royal River Psychiatric Care or request an appointment online today.