Anxiety disorders. Helping patients regain stability and calm.

Anxiety disorders affect more than 19 million American adults and are prevalent in the geriatric population. Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and other anxiety types can affect quality of life, precipitate social withdrawal, interfere with self-care, and exacerbate health problems. Anxiety disorders also may be associated with physical or mental disorders such as heart disease and depression. Patients may volunteer information about some anxiety disorders and be guarded about others. A proactive patient work-up can help reveal anxiety disorders in the primary care setting. Effective symptom management involves a combination of psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral) and pharmacotherapy.