Anxiety Disorders – McLean Psychiatry & Wellness

Break Free From Anxiety

Constant worry, racing heart, and sleepless nights don’t have to be your normal. We provide evidence-based medical treatment to help quiet your nervous system and restore your peace.

More Than Just "Being Stressed"

While everyone experiences stress, clinical anxiety is a chronic, physiological state where the body’s “fight or flight” response is stuck in the “on” position. It alters brain chemistry, impacts digestion, disrupts sleep, and can severely limit your ability to enjoy life.

You cannot simply “think” your way out of a physiological response. Medical intervention is often necessary to reset the baseline.

Types of Anxiety We Treat

Generalized Anxiety

Chronic, exaggerated worry and tension about everyday events, often accompanied by physical symptoms like muscle tension and fatigue.

Panic Disorder

Sudden, repeated attacks of intense fear (panic attacks) that peak within minutes, often causing a fear of future attacks.

Social Anxiety

Intense fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in a social or performance situation.

OCD

Intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions).

The Physical Toll of Anxiety

Anxiety isn’t just in your head—it lives in your body. Many patients seek psychiatric help after multiple visits to the ER or a cardiologist, only to be told their physical symptoms are driven by anxiety.

Cardiovascular:

Racing heart, palpitations, chest tightness

Respiratory:

Shortness of breath, feeling smothered

Neurological:

Insomnia, dizziness, brain fog, tension headaches

Gastrointestinal:

Nausea, IBS flare-ups, loss of appetite

Our Diagnostic Process

We conduct a thorough medical and psychiatric history to ensure your anxiety isn’t caused by an underlying medical issue (like thyroid dysfunction) and accurately pinpoint the specific anxiety disorder.

* Note: Physical symptoms of anxiety can mimic other medical conditions, making a comprehensive evaluation important.

Medical Treatment for Anxiety

We utilize modern psychopharmacology to help regulate serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA receptors, turning down the volume on your nervous system.

Daily Maintenance (First-Line)

Medications taken daily to prevent anxiety and raise your baseline tolerance for stress.

As-Needed (Rescue)

Fast-acting medications used specifically to abort severe panic attacks or highly triggering events.

"

“I used to wake up every morning with a pit in my stomach, dreading the day. I was exhausted from constantly fighting my own nervous system. The right medication didn’t change my personality—it just made me feel like myself again before the anxiety took over.”

— Jessica, 28

Frequently Asked Questions

Will anxiety medication turn me into a "zombie"?

No. The goal of modern anxiety treatment is to help you feel normal and engaged, not sedated. If a medication makes you feel emotionally blunted, the dose is too high or it’s the wrong medication.

How long do SSRIs take to work for anxiety?

While some physical side effects may be noticed early, it typically takes 4-6 weeks to feel the full anti-anxiety benefits of an SSRI. We may use bridging medications during this transition.

Do you prescribe Xanax or other benzodiazepines?

We are highly conservative with benzodiazepines due to their addiction potential and interference with long-term recovery. They are not used as first-line treatment and are prescribed strictly on a case-by-case basis under tight monitoring.