Anxiety

Frank Adair, MD

Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist located in Palo Alto, CA

Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health condition in the United States, affecting about 40 million adults. Frank Adair, MD, is a compassionate psychiatrist and psychotherapist who works with adults who suffer from anxiety at his practice in Palo Alto, California. If you’re looking for an integrative approach to managing anxiety, call to book an appointment today.

Anxiety Q&A

What is anxiety?

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, like when you have to speak in front of a crowd or are about to make an important decision. This type of anxiety is temporary. When persistent, uncontrollable feelings of worry or fear interrupt your daily life, that’s a sign of an anxiety disorder.

Dr. Adair treats many types of anxiety disorders, including:

Generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) causes excessive feelings of worry about everyday things like your health, work, or social interactions. GAD is long-term, which means you experience anxiety most days for at least six months.

Panic disorder

Panic disorder involves recurrent episodes of intense terror that arise unexpectedly and peak within minutes. These episodes (panic attacks) cause physical and emotional symptoms that can make you feel out of control.

Phobias

Phobias involve intense fear of specific objects or situations. Common phobias include social situations (social anxiety disorder), heights, flying, and blood. Although it’s normal to experience some fear in these situations, phobias cause excessive and irrational worry.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety symptoms vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder you have. Common signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders include:

Feeling nervous or tense
Sense of impending doom
Feeling out of control
Increased heart rate or heart palpitations
Sweating
Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
Trembling or shaking
Restlessness, edginess, or irritability
Feeling weak or tired
Difficulty concentrating
Sleep problems

If you have a specific phobia or if certain situations trigger your anxiety, you may go out of your way to avoid these triggers.

How is anxiety treated?

First, Dr. Adair spends time discussing your specific anxiety symptoms and how they affect your life. Then, he develops a personalized treatment plan to manage your anxiety, so you can lead a happy, productive life.

Dr. Adair practices integrative psychiatry, blending conventional and complementary methods in his treatment plans.

Depending on your needs, he may recommend medication management along with psychotherapy. He uses a variety of psychotherapies. For longer-term patients, he uses Jungian psychotherapy techniques, including sandplay therapy, dream analysis, and active imagination.

To learn how to free yourself from the grips of anxiety, call the office of Frank Adair, MD today.