Anxiety Disorders Treatment

Expert, Compassionate Care at Access Psychiatry

While anxiety is a normal part of life, if worry, fear or panic are becoming constant and it starts to interfere with your life, relationships, work or sleep, it could signal an anxiety disorder. What is good is that anxiety disorders are highly treatable. At Access Psychiatry, we tailor every treatment plan to you, and use evidence-based methods to get you back in control and back on track in your life.

Dr. Mapendo Karen Safari and our team offer comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, supportive therapy, and integrative strategies tailored to your unique needs. Services are available in-person in Glen Burnie and Laurel, Maryland, and via telehealth.

Understanding Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders involve excessive, persistent fear or worry that is difficult to control and often out of proportion to the situation. Common physical and emotional symptoms are:

• Excessive or uncontrollable worrying
• Restlessness or feeling “on edge”
• Rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, or chest tightness
• Muscle tension, sweating, or trembling
• Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
• Avoidance of triggering situations
• Digestive issues or nausea

These symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of anxiety disorder.

Types of Anxiety Disorders We Treat

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) 

Persistent, excessive worry about everyday matters (work, health, family, finances) that is hard to control, often accompanied by restlessness, fatigue, irritability, and sleep problems.

Panic Disorder 

Unexpected, recurring panic attacks: Intense fear with physical symptoms that strike unexpectedly like heart palpitations, dizziness, difficulty breathing, fear of losing control or dying. Usually this results in avoidance behaviors.

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Intense fear of social situations where one might be judged, embarrassed, or scrutinized. It can interfere with work, relationships, and everyday interactions such as meetings, public speaking, or attending events.

Specific Phobias

Intense, irrational fear of specific objects or situations (e.g., heights, flying, needles, animals, confined spaces) that leads to avoidance and significant distress.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Excessive fear or anxiety about being separated from loved ones or attachment figures. This can affect both children and adults, leading to reluctance to leave home, frequent reassurance-seeking, or physical symptoms.

Our Personalized Treatment Approach

We develop treatment plans that are tailored to your specific symptoms, history, and treatment goals. Treatment options might encompass:

Medication Management

Careful prescribing and monitoring of medications (such as SSRIs or others) to reduce symptoms while minimizing side effects. We utilize pharmacogenetic testing when appropriate.

Therapy & Coping Skills

Evidence-based techniques including cognitive behavioral strategies, exposure therapy for phobias, and supportive counseling to address thought patterns and build resilience.

Lifestyle & Integrative Support

Advice to support sleep hygiene, physical activity, nutrition, mindfulness, and other wellness care practices to complement clinical treatment.

Ongoing Monitoring

Regular follow-ups to track progress and adjust care as needed.

When Should You Seek Help?

It’s time to reach out if anxiety:

• Produces symptoms that last for weeks or months.
• Disturbs others and breaks relationships at work or school.
• Avoids key activities and experiences in an attempt to prevent panic attacks.
• Impacts sleep or functioning and causes stress and doesn’t seem to be easily handled by oneself.

Early intervention has better and more long-lasting effects.

Why Choose Access Psychiatry?

We will deliver compassionate, patient focused care in a supportive environment. Our goal is to identify your diagnosis as accurately as possible, plan the treatment together and provide long-term support to help you experience a reduction in symptoms and a thrive.

Ready to feel better?

Take the first step toward relief. Schedule an appointment with Access Psychiatry today.

Phone: (443) 302-9788 | (301) 709-5921 

Email: info@accesstopsychiatry.com 

Glen Burnie & Laurel, Maryland | In-person & Telehealth Available