Anxiety Treatment Options in Georgia

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions, affecting over 40 million American adults each year. If you're living in Georgia and struggling with anxiety, you're not alone—and effective treatment is available. At Next Step Psychiatry in Lilburn, we help patients throughout Metro Atlanta overcome anxiety disorders and reclaim their lives.

Types of Anxiety Disorders We Treat

Anxiety isn't one-size-fits-all. There are several distinct anxiety disorders, each with unique characteristics:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Characterized by persistent, excessive worry about everyday things—work, health, family, money—even when there's little reason for concern. People with GAD find it difficult to control their worry and may experience physical symptoms like muscle tension and sleep problems.

Panic Disorder

Involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—sudden episodes of intense fear that trigger severe physical reactions. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, and feeling of impending doom.

Social Anxiety Disorder

More than just shyness, social anxiety involves intense fear of social situations where you might be judged, embarrassed, or humiliated. This can significantly impact work, school, and relationships.

Specific Phobias

Intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations—flying, heights, spiders, blood, etc.—that lead to avoidance behavior.

Anxiety Symptoms to Watch For

Anxiety manifests both mentally and physically. Common symptoms include:

• Excessive worry or fear
• Feeling restless or on-edge
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sweating or trembling
• Shortness of breath
• Digestive problems
• Muscle tension and headaches

Treatment Options for Anxiety in Georgia

Medication Management

Several types of medications effectively treat anxiety disorders:

• SSRIs (like Lexapro, Zoloft) - Often first-line treatment, these work well for most anxiety disorders
• SNRIs (like Effexor, Cymbalta) - Effective for GAD and social anxiety
• Buspirone - A non-addictive anti-anxiety medication
• Benzodiazepines - For short-term or acute anxiety relief
• Beta-blockers - Help with physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat
• Hydroxyzine - A non-habit-forming option for anxiety relief

At Next Step Psychiatry, we carefully evaluate your symptoms and history to recommend the most appropriate medication with the fewest side effects.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is the gold standard psychological treatment for anxiety. It helps you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. Many patients achieve lasting improvement with CBT, either alone or combined with medication.

Lifestyle Approaches

Complementing professional treatment with healthy habits can enhance your recovery:

• Exercise: Regular physical activity reduces anxiety symptoms naturally
• Sleep hygiene: Consistent, quality sleep is crucial for anxiety management
• Limit caffeine and alcohol: Both can worsen anxiety symptoms
• Mindfulness and meditation: Practices that help calm the mind
• Deep breathing techniques: Useful for managing acute anxiety

When to See a Psychiatrist for Anxiety

Consider seeking professional help when anxiety:

• Interferes with work, school, or relationships
• Causes you to avoid situations or activities
• Leads to panic attacks
• Doesn't improve with self-help strategies
• Occurs alongside depression or substance use
• Includes thoughts of self-harm

Anxiety Treatment at Next Step Psychiatry

Our Lilburn, Georgia practice specializes in treating anxiety disorders with a comprehensive, personalized approach:

• Thorough evaluation to accurately diagnose your type of anxiety
• Customized medication management
• Coordination with therapists for combined treatment
• Telepsychiatry options for convenient care
• Ongoing monitoring and treatment adjustment

We understand how debilitating anxiety can be. Our compassionate team creates a supportive environment where you can openly discuss your concerns and work toward relief.

Get Help for Anxiety Today

Don't let anxiety control your life. Effective treatment can help you feel calm, confident, and in control again. Whether you're in Atlanta, Gwinnett County, Duluth, Alpharetta, or anywhere in Georgia, Next Step Psychiatry is here to help.

Schedule an appointment today or contact us to learn more about our anxiety treatment options.