What is anxiety?
Anxiety, mild or severe in nature, occurs when you have a feeling of being uneasy (afraid or worried). Everyone goes through anxiety at times (e.g. when you feel anxious/worried about a job interview, an exam or a medical test) and it is perfectly normal.
Your IPSA Medical anxiety consultation
Unfortunately, when you find it difficult to control your levels of anxiety, and if those feelings become mostly constant and start to affect your daily life, you should consider having an anxiety consultation at your IPSA Medical clinic. IPSA Medical’s anxiety physician will see you in IPSA Medical’s calm, conducive setting, and he/she will talk through your fears, worries and emotions with you to evaluate the nature of your anxiety, as consistent feelings of anxiety are a key symptom for conditions such as panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder (social phobia) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). IPSA Medical’s service is confidential, warm and client-centred, and your experienced IPSA Medical specialist will ensure that your anxiety consultation is not rushed or uncomfortable for you.
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
GAD (generalised anxiety disorder) is a long-term problem, where you experience anxiety in a wide range of different situations and for different issues, rather than from one particular/specific event.
Individuals suffering from GAD feel anxious mostly every day and have difficulty in remembering a time when they actually felt fully relaxed. GAD can produce varied physical and also psychological (mental) symptoms such as feeling worried/restless and having trouble sleeping/concentrating.
When should you see your IPSA Medical anxiety specialist?
Although feelings of anxiety are normal, you should book your IPSA Medical anxiety consultation if anxiety is affecting how you function on a day-to-day basis and it is causing you distress.
What is the cause of GAD?
Some sufferers can develop GAD without having any apparent trigger or reason. Although the exact cause of this type of disorder remains unclear, it seems probable that several factors could play a role in the condition and that these factors may include:
- Over-activity in your emotional/behavioural brain regions
- A history of traumatic and/or stressful experiences (e.g. bullying, domestic violence, child abuse)
- A long-term, painful health condition (e.g. arthritis)
- A brain chemical imbalance (noradrenaline/serotonin) that regulates and controls your mood
- A genetic predisposition (genetic inheritance): if a close relative of yours suffers from GAD, you are five times more likely to develop GAD yourself
- A drug and/or alcohol misuse history
Who is affected by GAD?
GAD is very common, affecting approximately 1 in 25 British people, especially those between 35 and 55. More women are affected by GAD than men are.
How is GAD treated at my IPSA Medical clinic?
GAD can strongly impact your daily life, but several treatments can help to ease your GAD symptoms:
- Psychological therapy (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT)
- Relaxant medications (e.g. benzodiazepines)
- Medication (a type of antidepressant: a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI)
- Anti-anxiety medications (e.g. beta-blockers)
Medications for the management of your anxiety at your IPSA Medical anxiety clinic
During your IPSA Medical anxiety consultation, your IPSA Medical physician will talk through how anxiety is currently impacting on your life. A frank and open discussion will determine the best anxiety treatment for you so that your anxiety can be better managed. Your IPSA Medical specialist will then advise you about how to take your prescribed anxiety medication, because, in some cases, your medication might have to be taken regularly, while in other cases, your medication is only to be taken during those periods of more heightened anxiety.
Your IPSA Medical anxiety specialist will monitor your progress regularly until your symptoms have settled and improved. A long-term plan will then be devised for you in order to help both control and monitor your anxiety to prevent it taking over your life.
To book your same-day IPSA Medical anxiety consultation, phone your nearest IPSA Medical clinic or make your booking online.
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