Anxiety in Houston
Feeling nervous before a test, interview, or big decision is a normal part of life, but when worry and fear start to take over your thoughts, affect your sleep, or make it hard to focus, it could be more than just stress. It could be clinical anxiety.
At Your Family Psychiatrist, we help patients in the Houston area better understand anxiety and learn how to manage it. Whether you’re looking for answers for yourself or a loved one, we offer clear, helpful information about the symptoms, causes, types, and treatment of anxiety.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a mental health condition that causes excessive fear, worry, or nervousness, even when there is no immediate danger. It can affect your mind, body, and daily life.
While it’s normal to feel anxious in certain situations, anxiety becomes a disorder when the feelings are:
Anxiety is very common, but the good news is it is also very treatable.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
Mental and Emotional Symptoms
Physical Symptoms
Everyone experiences anxiety differently. Some people feel mostly physical symptoms, while others experience more emotional or mental distress.
Different Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are several types of anxiety disorders. Knowing the difference can help you or your provider find the most effective treatment.
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
People with GAD worry excessively about everyday situations including work, health, school, finances or even when there is no specific reason to worry. The worry is difficult to control and lasts most days for at least six months.
2. Panic Disorder
Panic disorder involves sudden episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These can include chest pain, rapid heart rate, trouble breathing, and a sense of doom. Panic attacks can feel like a heart attack and may happen without warning.
3. Social Anxiety Disorder
This type of anxiety causes intense fear of social situations, such as public speaking, meeting new people, or being judged by others. People with social anxiety may avoid interactions that are important to work, school, or relationships.
4. Specific Phobias
A phobia is a strong, irrational fear of a specific object or situation like flying, heights, spiders, or injections. The fear is so strong that people may go out of their way to avoid the trigger, even when it limits their life.
5. Separation Anxiety Disorder
Most common in children, this involves extreme fear of being away from parents or caregivers. It can also affect adults who worry excessively about losing someone they love.
6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Although OCD is classified separately from anxiety in medical manuals, it often includes anxiety symptoms. People with OCD experience unwanted, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and feel driven to perform certain behaviors (compulsions) to relieve anxiety.
7. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Also in a separate category, PTSD often overlaps with anxiety. It results from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event and leads to flashbacks, nightmares, and a constant sense of danger.
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety can be caused by a combination of factors:
1. Genetics
Anxiety can run in families. If a parent or sibling has an anxiety disorder, you may be more likely to experience it.
2. Brain Chemistry
Certain chemicals in the brain (like serotonin and dopamine) help regulate mood. When these are imbalanced, anxiety can develop.
3. Personality
People who are naturally shy, sensitive, or perfectionistic may be more prone to anxiety.
4. Life Experiences
Stressful or traumatic events such as a car accident, abuse, bullying, or ongoing pressure can trigger anxiety.
5. Health Conditions
Thyroid problems, heart issues, or chronic illness can contribute to or mimic anxiety symptoms.
How Is Anxiety Diagnosed?
At Your Family Psychiatrist, we provide a full psychiatric evaluation to determine if someone is experiencing an anxiety disorder. The process includes:
There’s no blood test for anxiety, but with the right questions and tools, we can make a clear and accurate diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Anxiety
Anxiety is very treatable, and most people feel significantly better with the right support. Treatment often includes a combination of the following:
1. Medication
2. Psychotherapy
At Your Family Psychiatrist, we create a customized treatment plan that fits your symptoms, goals, and preferences. We also collaborate with local therapists, counselors, and psychologists when therapy is part of the treatment plan.
When to Seek Help?
It’s time to seek professional help for anxiety if:
Anxiety doesn't just “go away” on its own. The sooner you get help, the easier it is to regain control.
Our team at Your Family Psychiatrist is here for you. We provide expert care for generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, and other anxiety-related conditions for both teens and adults.
Schedule Your Anxiety Evaluation Today
You don’t have to manage anxiety on your own. With the right support, you can feel calm, focused, and in control again.
📍 Conveniently located in Cypress, TX, and serving the surrounding greater Houston area
📞 Call today or book online to schedule a consultation with a psychiatrist at Your Family Psychiatrist
At Your Family Psychiatrist, we help patients in the Houston area better understand anxiety and learn how to manage it. Whether you’re looking for answers for yourself or a loved one, we offer clear, helpful information about the symptoms, causes, types, and treatment of anxiety.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a mental health condition that causes excessive fear, worry, or nervousness, even when there is no immediate danger. It can affect your mind, body, and daily life.
While it’s normal to feel anxious in certain situations, anxiety becomes a disorder when the feelings are:
- Persistent (lasting for months or more)
- Out of proportion to the situation
- Difficult to control
- Interfering with school, work, relationships, or sleep
Anxiety is very common, but the good news is it is also very treatable.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
Mental and Emotional Symptoms
- Constant worry or fear
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Irritability or restlessness
- Trouble sleeping (falling asleep or staying asleep)
Physical Symptoms
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Stomachaches or nausea
- Sweating or shaking
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Muscle tension
Everyone experiences anxiety differently. Some people feel mostly physical symptoms, while others experience more emotional or mental distress.
Different Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are several types of anxiety disorders. Knowing the difference can help you or your provider find the most effective treatment.
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
People with GAD worry excessively about everyday situations including work, health, school, finances or even when there is no specific reason to worry. The worry is difficult to control and lasts most days for at least six months.
2. Panic Disorder
Panic disorder involves sudden episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These can include chest pain, rapid heart rate, trouble breathing, and a sense of doom. Panic attacks can feel like a heart attack and may happen without warning.
3. Social Anxiety Disorder
This type of anxiety causes intense fear of social situations, such as public speaking, meeting new people, or being judged by others. People with social anxiety may avoid interactions that are important to work, school, or relationships.
4. Specific Phobias
A phobia is a strong, irrational fear of a specific object or situation like flying, heights, spiders, or injections. The fear is so strong that people may go out of their way to avoid the trigger, even when it limits their life.
5. Separation Anxiety Disorder
Most common in children, this involves extreme fear of being away from parents or caregivers. It can also affect adults who worry excessively about losing someone they love.
6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Although OCD is classified separately from anxiety in medical manuals, it often includes anxiety symptoms. People with OCD experience unwanted, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and feel driven to perform certain behaviors (compulsions) to relieve anxiety.
7. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Also in a separate category, PTSD often overlaps with anxiety. It results from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event and leads to flashbacks, nightmares, and a constant sense of danger.
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety can be caused by a combination of factors:
1. Genetics
Anxiety can run in families. If a parent or sibling has an anxiety disorder, you may be more likely to experience it.
2. Brain Chemistry
Certain chemicals in the brain (like serotonin and dopamine) help regulate mood. When these are imbalanced, anxiety can develop.
3. Personality
People who are naturally shy, sensitive, or perfectionistic may be more prone to anxiety.
4. Life Experiences
Stressful or traumatic events such as a car accident, abuse, bullying, or ongoing pressure can trigger anxiety.
5. Health Conditions
Thyroid problems, heart issues, or chronic illness can contribute to or mimic anxiety symptoms.
How Is Anxiety Diagnosed?
At Your Family Psychiatrist, we provide a full psychiatric evaluation to determine if someone is experiencing an anxiety disorder. The process includes:
- A review of your symptoms and medical history
- Screening tools and questionnaires
- Ruling out other medical or psychiatric conditions
- A discussion of how symptoms affect your daily life
There’s no blood test for anxiety, but with the right questions and tools, we can make a clear and accurate diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Anxiety
Anxiety is very treatable, and most people feel significantly better with the right support. Treatment often includes a combination of the following:
1. Medication
- Antidepressants (such as SSRIs and SNRIs) help regulate mood and reduce worry.
- Anti-anxiety medications may be used short-term for immediate relief.
- Beta blockers may help reduce physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat.
2. Psychotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective forms of therapy for anxiety. It teaches patients how to recognize and challenge negative thinking patterns and develop healthier ways of coping.
- Exposure therapy may be used for phobias or social anxiety.
- Therapy can be individual or include family members when appropriate.
- Deep breathing and mindfulness exercises
- Regular physical activity
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol
- Getting consistent, restful sleep
- Journaling, relaxation apps, or support groups
At Your Family Psychiatrist, we create a customized treatment plan that fits your symptoms, goals, and preferences. We also collaborate with local therapists, counselors, and psychologists when therapy is part of the treatment plan.
When to Seek Help?
It’s time to seek professional help for anxiety if:
- Worry or fear is affecting your work, school, or relationships
- You avoid situations or people because of anxiety
- You’re having panic attacks or feel “on edge” all the time
- You struggle to sleep or focus due to racing thoughts
- You’ve tried self-help strategies but still feel overwhelmed
Anxiety doesn't just “go away” on its own. The sooner you get help, the easier it is to regain control.
Our team at Your Family Psychiatrist is here for you. We provide expert care for generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, and other anxiety-related conditions for both teens and adults.
Schedule Your Anxiety Evaluation Today
You don’t have to manage anxiety on your own. With the right support, you can feel calm, focused, and in control again.
📍 Conveniently located in Cypress, TX, and serving the surrounding greater Houston area
📞 Call today or book online to schedule a consultation with a psychiatrist at Your Family Psychiatrist
