Anxiety

It’s estimated that about 30% of adults and 10% of children and teens in the United States suffer from anxiety that affects their daily lives. At Gladwell LLC, a telehealth-based psychiatric and mental health practice in Renton, Washington, board-certified nurse practitioner Catherine Donnerstag, NP, provides traditional and evidence-based mental health care for anxiety. Call today or book an appointment online for compassionate and personalized anxiety care. Telehealth services are available to patients in Maryland and Washington, with an on-site office opening soon in Seattle.

I worry all the time. When is anxiety a problem?

Anxiety is a problem when your persistent worry affects your ability to go successfully about your day. Anxiety is the fear, nervousness, and worry you experience when dealing with stressful situations. It’s a normal emotional reaction that helps you cope with stress.

But if your anxiety is excessive and you avoid situations because they make your anxiety worse, you could have an anxiety disorder. Phobias (exaggerated fear of situations or objects) and social anxiety disorder (avoiding social situations for fear of self-humiliation) are anxiety disorders.

If you feel anxious or worried about everyday things like work or finances that make it hard to concentrate, you could have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Anxiety disorders are common and often co-occur with other mental health conditions like depression. Four out of 10 adults report having anxiety or depression.

If your anxiety overwhelms you, making it hard to function, schedule an appointment at  Gladwell LLC. Catherine provides mental health care that makes sense.

I have panic attacks. Do I have an anxiety disorder?

If you have recurring panic attacks, you could have panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder. Panic attacks are intense episodes of anxiety causing overwhelming fear and physical symptoms like shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and shaking.

Panic attacks can last several minutes and come on without warning. The symptoms of a panic attack are sometimes so severe that you think you’re having a heart attack and find yourself in an emergency room.

People with panic disorder often stay away from situations that they fear could trigger a panic attack. 

How is anxiety treated?

Catherine considers mental health care an intimate and personal experience. Before making specific recommendations, she completes a thorough psychiatric evaluation to understand how you think and feel and determine your diagnosis.

Catherine takes a traditional, evidence-based approach to anxiety treatment, and your treatment can include psychotherapy, medication management, and/or lifestyle changes. She partners with you, providing the tools and support for lasting results.

Call Gladwell LLC today or book an appointment online for expert psychiatric care for your anxiety.