Services / Psychiatry / Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are medical conditions that involve persistent fear, worry, and nervous system activation that gets in the way of daily life. When they're properly evaluated and treated, they're highly manageable.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Published June 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 8, 2026 · Editorial policy
Understanding anxiety
What anxiety disorders really are
Anxiety is a normal response to stress. An anxiety disorder is different. It happens when the brain's threat system stays overactive, so persistent fear, physical tension, and avoidance show up even when there's no real danger.
Rather than short bursts of nervousness, anxiety disorders involve ongoing symptoms that interfere with work, relationships, sleep, and quality of life. They're medical conditions, influenced by:
- Nervous system sensitivity
- Brain chemistry and neurotransmitters
- Genetic vulnerability
- Chronic stress and trauma
- Learned fear responses
Types we treat
Anxiety conditions we treat
Each condition looks different and benefits from individualized care.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Persistent, excessive worry about daily life, with muscle tension, restlessness, fatigue, and sleep trouble.
Learn more →Panic Disorder
Sudden episodes of intense fear with a racing heart, shortness of breath, and a fear of future attacks.
Learn more →Social Anxiety Disorder
Intense fear of social or performance situations involving judgment, often leading to avoidance.
Learn more →Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts paired with repetitive behaviors or mental rituals meant to ease anxiety.
Learn more →
When anxiety is properly treated, it's highly manageable.
Treatment
How anxiety disorders are treated
Good anxiety care focuses on both symptom relief and long term regulation of the nervous system.
Psychiatric Evaluation
A comprehensive assessment of symptoms, triggers, physical responses, medical history, and daily functioning.
Medication Management
Non controlled medications such as SSRIs or other evidence based options, tailored to your condition when appropriate.
Therapy Coordination
Collaboration with therapy providers for approaches like CBT, ERP, and exposure based treatment when helpful.
Ongoing Follow Up
Regular monitoring and adjustment as your symptoms improve or change.
Why virtual works
Telepsychiatry fits anxiety well
Anxiety often makes travel, waiting rooms, and scheduling harder. Virtual care lowers those barriers.
- You can access care from home.
- You keep consistent follow ups.
- You begin treatment sooner.
- You reduce avoidance barriers around appointments.
You'll meet with a licensed clinician by secure video, with the same continuity you'd expect in person.
Where we practice
Licensed care across the country
All care happens through secure, HIPAA compliant video. Pick your state, complete the intake, and book online.
How anxiety works
Your alarm system, stuck in the on position
Anxiety is a healthy threat response doing its job too often. When the brain tags ordinary situations as dangerous, it releases adrenaline and cortisol, which is why anxiety feels so physical: racing heart, tight chest, churning stomach, restless muscles, shallow breathing.
The trap is avoidance. Skipping the meeting or the highway brings relief for an afternoon, and that relief teaches the brain that the situation really was dangerous. Each avoidance makes the alarm more sensitive. Effective treatment interrupts exactly that loop.
Treatment
What actually reduces anxiety
First line treatment is well established: SSRIs or SNRIs, cognitive behavioral therapy, or both together for moderate to severe symptoms. Medication typically begins to help within two to six weeks. CBT teaches your nervous system, through graded practice, that feared situations are survivable, which is why its results last after treatment ends.
We do not prescribe benzodiazepines or other controlled substances. The evidence is clear that they are not a long term solution for anxiety, and the alternatives we use work without the dependence risk.
Keep exploring
Related care and next steps
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
What are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders are medical conditions involving persistent fear, worry, physical tension, and nervous system activation that interfere with daily life. They go beyond normal stress and often affect work, relationships, sleep, and overall functioning.
What are the most common types?
The main types are generalized anxiety disorder with ongoing excessive worry, panic disorder with recurrent panic attacks, social anxiety disorder involving fear of social situations, and OCD marked by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Each presents differently but all are treatable.
What causes anxiety disorders?
They usually develop from a combination of nervous system sensitivity, brain chemistry, genetic vulnerability, chronic stress or trauma, learned fear responses, and environmental factors. They're medical conditions, not a personal failing or a character flaw.
Are anxiety disorders treatable?
Yes. Most people experience significant improvement or full remission with appropriate psychiatric care, therapy coordination, and ongoing support.
Do anxiety disorders require medication?
Some people improve with therapy and lifestyle changes alone. Others benefit from medication along with therapy. A psychiatric evaluation helps determine the most effective approach for you.
Is telepsychiatry effective for anxiety disorders?
Yes. Virtual psychiatric care is as effective as in person treatment for anxiety disorders, and it often improves access, consistency of follow up, and comfort.
When does normal worry become an anxiety disorder?
When worry becomes hard to control, shows up most days for months, brings physical symptoms like tension or poor sleep, and interferes with work or relationships. That pattern deserves an evaluation, not toughing it out.
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Racing heart, chest tightness, stomach issues, dizziness, and muscle tension are classic. Many people see several doctors for physical symptoms before anyone asks about anxiety.
Sources
Sources and further reading
Get started with anxiety care
Anxiety disorders are common, medical, and treatable. Choose your state, complete the intake, and schedule your first appointment online.
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