Anxiety Specialist

Psychiatrist located in Fairfax, VA, Alexandria, VA, Washington, DC

As a board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Ifeanyi Olele of Genesis Psychiatric Solutions helps create a plan to deal with anxiety problems that affect your quality of life. There is much more to anxiety than that occasional bout of fear. Without the right counseling, it can manifest into something that controls your every movement. Call the office today or book an appointment online to learn how to manage your anxiety. Genesis Psychiatric Solutions also offers telemedicine services to patients living inside the greater Fairfax, VA, Alexandria, VA, Washington, DC areas.

Anxiety Q & A

What is anxiety?

We all feel a little anxious at times. The intense sensation you feel when you go on a job interview, for example, or the feeling you have when you give a speech in front of others is anxiety in its mild form. For some people, it’s a fear that becomes overwhelming even when dealing with everyday situations, such as going to the grocery store or answering the phone.

For people with an anxiety disorder, the fear is out of proportion with the risk. They may imagine being attacked while at the grocery store or people laughing at them on the subway.

What causes anxiety?

As with most disorders of this type, it is difficult to pinpoint a specific underlying cause, but there are risk factors such as:

A history of trauma
Having a serious illness
Stress that is building up

Certain personality types are prone to anxiety issues, as well. Anxiety often goes hand in hand with other mental health problems, such as depression.

Why is anxiety a problem?

Normal anxiety is not really a problem, but in its extreme form, it becomes disabling. Doing even little things leads to a panic attack, so you might end up homebound and unable to work. There is a physical response to extreme stress that can affect your health as well. Untreated anxiety disorders can lead to:

Depression
Addiction
Bowel or digestive problems
Chronic migraines

What are the symptoms of an anxiety disorder?

The key to understanding anxiety is to filter out normal stress from the equation. It is perfectly normal to feel some anxiety, even daily. You might be anxious about a work assignment, for example. That’s a normal response to a challenge ahead of you.

Anxiety is characterized by a greater, more persistent fear, one that may actually prevent you from trying anything. Some common symptoms include:

Difficulty sleeping
Hyperventilation
Trembling or shaking
Constant worry
Obsessing about daily tasks
Persistent feeling of danger or doom
Chest pain not tied to a heart problem
Muscle tension
Fatigue

With proper counseling and treatment, you can learn to manage those feelings of panic and start living life without that constant fear. Call or make an appointment online today with Genesis Psychiatric Solutions in Fairfax, VA, Alexandria, VA, Washington, DC. If you’re outside of Virginia, be sure to ask about available telepsychiatry services.