Anxiety Disorder Treatment & Psychiatric Care

What are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety refers to a feeling of worry or fear, which may be persistent. Although stress or anxiety can motivate us to meet deadlines, be prepared for an event, or fulfill other obligations, too much anxiety can be problematic. For example, excessive worry can affect our ability to be present in the moment, cause poor concentration, poor sleep (or insomnia), affect our appetite, or even affect our physical health over time. The term “Anxiety Disorder” refers to a group of treatable medical conditions that can cause excessive fear or worry, and affect one’s academic, occupational, social and personal life.

Anxiety and anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the US. About 30% of adults will struggle with anxiety at some point in their life.

If stress or anxiety interferes with your daily routine, schedule an evaluation with a mental health professional. Anxiety disorder treatment typically involves psychotherapy, psychiatric medication management, or a combination of both based on your specific symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

It is normal to worry about stressful events or situations. It’s also normal to be fearful of dangerous environments. Worry and fear help to motivate us, and also to keep us safe. However, when that worry or fear is persistent, or when it occurs at a level that is out of proportion to the trigger (or even without a trigger), it becomes Anxiety, and anxiety treatment may be warranted.

Mental Symptoms of anxiety that may indicate that an evaluation and treatment are warranted include:

• Feeling overwhelmed by your anxiety
• Poor focus
• Changes in appetite (stress eating or loss of appetite)
• Poor sleep
• Difficulty enjoying the moment or being mindful
• Exhaustion from your anxiety
• Feeling agitated.

Physical Symptoms of anxiety that may indicate that an evaluation and treatment are warranted include:

• Stomach upset
• Palpitations
• Sweating (during the day, or night sweats)
• Others

If you’re experiencing any of these mental or physical symptoms of anxiety, you’re not alone. Reach out to a mental health professional, such as the Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, and Psychotherapists at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, to get the help that you need.

Types of Anxiety Disorders We Treat

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a treatable medical condition where individuals worry or feel anxious about lots of different issues, most days of the week. Patients may say that they worry about “everything,” such as their health, finances, relationships, school and work. They may also state that when they stop worrying about a trigger, “something new comes along to worry about.” This can be exhausting and make individuals feel that they’ll never stop worrying.

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder is a treatable medical condition where individuals feel extreme anxiety or “panic,” for minutes to hours at a time. During panic attacks, you may feel dizzy, lightheaded, short of breath, palpitations, chest tightness, sweats, numbness or tingling, and/or a feeling of impending doom. It’s not uncommon for individuals to go to an emergency room, thinking that they’re having a heart attack, only to be diagnosed with panic disorder. These episodes can occur due to a trigger, or even without one.

Specific Phobias 

Specific Phobias occur when someone has an intense fear about a specific trigger. The trigger could be an animal, object, situation or even an activity. Examples may include someone having a fear of spiders, snakes, flying, driving, heights or vomiting. Treatment for specific phobias can consist of psychotherapy  (such as Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, medication management for phobias, or both.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder, where individuals avoid situations or places where they may feel trapped, or where leaving those situations may either be difficult, or embarrassing. Examples of symptoms may include a fear of open spaces (such as bridges), enclosed spaces, public transportation, movie theaters, stores with long lines, or even difficulty leaving one’s home.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or “PTSD” is an anxiety disorder that can develop after a severe physical, sexual or emotional trauma. It is not uncommon for individuals in the military, police force, and first responders (such as EMTs) to develop PTSD from events that may occur at work. Many individuals outside of these lines of work unfortunately also experience significant trauma during their lives, which can result in this condition. Symptoms may include: nightmares or flashbacks of the event, the avoidance of people, places or things that remind one of the event, hypervigilance or being easily startled by triggers, and changes in cognition and/or mood, related to the event and symptoms.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder is a mental health condition where individuals feel excessive fear or worry about everyday social situations. Individuals may feel anxious related to worries that they will be judged, embarrassed, humiliated, and/or rejected in these social situations.

Social Anxiety Disorder can affect individuals severely, not only affecting one’s ability to go to (or enjoy) social gatherings, but also affecting one’s school, work, or even ability to eat in public.

What To Expect from Anxiety Disorder Treatment

Evidence-Based Psychotherapy for Anxiety

There are various types of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you spot negative thought loops (challenging assumptions that you make, which may be worsening your symptoms) and change the daily habits that keep you feeling stuck or anxious. Common for generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder.
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Helps you face specific fears and triggers in small, controlled steps so they lose their power over time. The primary approach for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and specific phobias such as agoraphobia.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Teaches practical mindfulness tools so you can acknowledge anxious feelings without letting them control your choices and actions.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Uses guided eye movements and tapping techniques to help your brain process painful memories that trigger trauma and PTSD.
• Psychodynamic Therapy: Looks at past experiences, relationships, and deeper emotional patterns to uncover the root causes of long-term anxiety.

Most structured therapy programs run for 10 – 20 sessions (scheduled every 1-2 weeks), with as needed or “booster” sessions scheduled thereafter.

Medication Management

The Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are board-certified and licensed to not only evaluate anxiety disorders but also to write for medications that are used for their treatment.

There are various types of medications that can be utilized for the treatment of anxiety disorders. They include SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), SNRIs (Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), Anxiolytics (such as benzodiazepines) and Beta Blockers (which calm the sympathetic “fight or flight” physical response of anxiety).

Medications affect everyone differently, and medication management for anxiety disorders needs to be under the direct supervision of a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Not all types of medications that treat anxiety are appropriate for all patients.

Anxiety Medication Management Available in these States:

• California
• Delaware
• Florida
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• US Virgin Islands

Our Anxiety Treatment Process

• Step 1: Initial Psychiatric Evaluation
  Your first appointment is a 60 to 90 minute evaluation with an anxiety psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. We review your symptom history, daily stressors, sleep patterns, and lifestyle factors. If necessary, your provider may order standard lab work (such as a thyroid panel) to rule out underlying medical causes.
• Step 2: Personalized Care Plan
  Based on your evaluation, your provider creates a targeted treatment plan. Depending on your needs, this may include psychotherapy, psychiatric medication management, or a combined approach.
• Step 3: Ongoing Monitoring and Follow-Up
  You meet regularly (every 1 – 3 months) for 20 to 30 minute follow-up visits to assess progress, adjust medication dosages, track side effects, and coordinate care with your therapist and/or primary care doctors.

How to Choose an Anxiety Treatment Provider

There are several options for finding a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or psychotherapist who treats anxiety disorders wherever you reside. This process can seem overwhelming (particularly when struggling with symptoms of anxiety). However, finding a specialist for Anxiety Treatment is no different from finding a doctor who specializes in other areas of medicine.

• Talk to your doctor about psychiatrists near you who treat anxiety disorders or panic.
• Call local hospitals and teaching institutions and ask what physicians or doctors they recommend.
• Call your insurance carrier and ask about anxiety disorder treatment and specialists that accept your specific insurance.
• Search the internet for the best psychiatrists who treat anxiety disorders. You can find national and local psychiatrists online.
• If family or friends have seen local psychiatrists who specialize in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety, consider asking if they would recommend (or not recommend) a certain doctor, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or psychiatrist near you for anxiety treatment and medication management.
• National mental health resources are also available for you to discover more about anxiety treatment.

Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates In-Person Anxiety Treatment Locations

• Wilmington, DE
• Collingswood, NJ
• Manhattan, NY
• Center Valley, PA
• Paoli, PA
• Philadelphia, PA
• Pittsburgh, PA

Start Your Anxiety Treatment with Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates Today

• Appointments generally within 2-3 weeks.
• Expert providers who trained at Johns Hopkins Hospital, The University of Pennsylvania, Tufts Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and similar institutions.
• Many of our providers currently teach, or have taught, in Academia, and have been published in peer-reviewed Medical Journals.
• Thorough and Comprehensive Care; we treat a person in their entirety, not just a singular diagnosis.
• Coordination with a patient’s psychologists and medical providers.
• Reasonable Fees, with initial visits approximately $350 and typical follow-ups $175.
• 60- or 90-minute initial visits and 20-30-minute follow-ups.

FAQs About Anxiety Treatment

What is the most effective approach for anxiety disorders?

Clinical guidelines show combining evidence-based psychotherapy with targeted psychiatric medication produces the highest rates of long-term symptom relief. For milder symptoms, therapy alone is often recommended first.

How do I know if I need medication in addition to therapy?

If symptoms cause severe physical distress like panic attacks or insomnia, or if therapy alone hasn’t provided sufficient relief, a psychiatric evaluation can determine if medication is appropriate. If symptoms are moderate to severe, psychiatric medication management may be appropriate.

What should I prepare for my first appointment?

Bring a list of current medications, past treatment records, and notes on your specific symptoms, sleep patterns, and daily triggers to discuss during your evaluation.