Anxiety is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent feelings of fear, worry, or unease. Anxiety disorders encompass a wide range of conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. These disorders are typically associated with significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.
Individuals with anxiety disorders often experience symptoms such as excessive worrying, restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. Anxiety can manifest physically as well, leading to symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Anxiety disorders can also be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Imbalances in certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), are thought to play a role in the development of anxiety disorders. Additionally, factors such as trauma, chronic stress, and family history of anxiety can contribute to their onset.
To diagnose anxiety disorders, healthcare professionals rely on thorough assessments, including clinical interviews, self-report questionnaires, and observation of symptoms. It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions that may mimic anxiety symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or cardiovascular problems.
Older patients who experience major depression also meet the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in more than 50% of the cases. In addition, some older persons meet the criteria for panic disorder.
Anxiety symptoms may be secondary to appropriate fear in threatening situations.
People with anxiety can also experience panic attacks. This is a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which four (or more) of the following symptoms developed abruptly and reached a peak within 10 minutes:
Depression and anxiety can affect everyone and may manifest in addiction disorders to alcohol, drugs or prescription medications. Dr. Keith Heinzerling is an addiction medicine specialist who treats adults of all ages. Patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, end-of-life distress, chronic pain, drug/alcohol problems, and other conditions may be eligible for psychedelic-assisted therapy with ketamine.
Our geriatric psychiatrist, Dr. David Merrill, offers kind, compassionate, thorough clinical evaluations and follows depression treatment guidelines, helping the patient to stay connected with the activities and people who matter to them. Contact us at 310-582-7641 to schedule a consultation.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline’s website or the Crisis Text Line’s website.
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For Mental Health and Addiction Disorders
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NOTE: pacificbrainhealth.org is not a crisis resource.
If you are feeling suicidal, thinking about hurting yourself, or are concerned that someone you know may be in danger of hurting himself or herself, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).
Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential and is staffed by certified crisis response professionals.
Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline’s website or the Crisis Text Line’s website.
You can find help in locating a mental health professional by consulting with your health care provider, Employee Assistance Program, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK), or the National Mental Health Information Center (https://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/).
The pacificbrainhealth.org website includes information for individuals who struggle with mental health issues, their families, co-workers, friends, clergy, and teachers and gives community members a place to turn to for current information, and does not provide any medical, psychological, diagnostic or treatment services.
For accurate diagnosis of suicidality, depression and alcohol problems or other mental illnesses, participants need to call and/or be seen by qualified healthcare professionals.
We do not assume any legal obligation to follow up with individual users.
pacificbrainhealth.org, its staff and agents, shall not be liable for claims or damages and expressly disclaims any and all liability of any nature for any action, or non-action, taken as a result of the information generated by this website or any of the programs of pacificbrainhealth.org used by the customers, callers, clients or online users.
Results from the any of the tools provided are not diagnostic, but merely indicate the presence, or lack thereof, of symptoms that are consistent, or inconsistent with depression and/or suicidality. Negative responses to the questionnaires do not rule out suicidality and/or depression, and positive responses do not conclusively establish suicidality and/or depression.
A diagnostic evaluation by a healthcare professional is always necessary to determine whether or not there is the presence/absence of depression/suicidality.
Should a user of pacificbrainhealth.org receive information that in any way might indicate a serious or potentially life-threatening problem for themselves or someone else, we urge the individual to call 1-800-273-TALK, contact a mental health services professional, and visit the nearest emergency room or call 911.
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The information on this site is intended to help users learn about behavioral health and suicide prevention. It is provided for informational and referral purposes only. The web site should NOT be used as a substitute for medical advice, counseling, or other health-related services or as a replacement for the services of a trained medical or mental health professional. For medical or mental health advice, services, and treatment, consult your primary care physician or a qualified mental health care professional. pacificbrainhealth.org do not make any warranty that information contained on this website, or on any site linked to this website, is complete, accurate or up-to-date; and pacificbrainhealth.org is not responsible for the results of reliance on any such information.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS THOUGHTS ABOUT SUICIDE
Call 1-800-273-TALK
or visit your local emergency room
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