Anxiety

How Long Does It Take Anxiety Medications to Work?
How Long Does It Take Anxiety Medications to Work? 2560 1707 Aware Behavioral Health

Anxiety can be a debilitating condition that interferes with daily life, from social interactions to work performance. Finding an effective treatment solution is often a priority for those seeking help. When someone has struggled with anxiety for a long time, they also typically want some relief right away – a chance to have a break from their anxiety symptoms. One of the most common questions raised in this context is, “How long will it take for my anxiety medication to work?” At Aware Behavioral Health, we understand the urgency behind this question and the importance of managing expectations. We encourage…

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How Panic Attacks Lead to Agoraphobia
How Panic Attacks Lead to Agoraphobia 2496 1664 Aware Behavioral Health

Panic attacks are some of the most intense mental health events that a person can experience. They have symptoms that include chest thumping and chest pain, trouble breathing, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, and many other physical symptoms. They also have psychological symptoms that make this feeling even worse: feelings of doom and fear of death, both of which cause the event to be even more traumatic and terrifying. We encourage you to read more about the psychiatric treatment for panic attacks, here. One of the consequences of panic attacks is that many people with ongoing panic disorder begin to struggle with…

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Do Service Animals Help Improve Mental Health?
Do Service Animals Help Improve Mental Health? 2560 1440 Aware Behavioral Health

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Sehdev and the team at Aware Behavioral Health take a holistic approach to mental health. We can offer medication, and we can offer therapy, but we also look at behavioral and lifestyle choices that can contribute to better overall psychological wellbeing. Psychiatry, more than perhaps any other mental health profession, cares about science. Recently, an article by the American Psychiatric Association looked at the ways that “therapy dogs” may benefit mental health. These are especially important here in the Dallas area, because we have a lot of veterans and a higher than average percentage of children…

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The Science Behind an OCD Brain
The Science Behind an OCD Brain 150 150 Aware Behavioral Health

Scientists have been researching the causes of OCD for several decades and while there is still much more research to do, they have discovered some important functional characteristics of brains with OCD. This means that the brain activity in people that live with OCD is physically different than the brain in people without a diagnosis. The location and amount of brain activity and concentration of neurotransmitters are measurably different in an OCD brain, emphasizing the importance of treatment from a psychiatrist for those with OCD to effectively manage symptoms and reduce the impact that OCD has on your life. How…

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Understanding Panic Disorder
Understanding Panic Disorder 150 150 Aware Behavioral Health

A panic disorder is an intense mental and physical event. Just under 5% of adults will experience a panic attack at some point in their lives, and it can be a deeply unpleasant experience. But some people experience panic attacks multiple times. This is panic disorder. Considered a type of anxiety disorder, panic disorder can cause recurring panic attacks. They might happen in response to particular triggers or randomly, severely disrupting your life and causing you to fearfully await the next attack. Fortunately, panic disorder usually responds well to treatment. Knowing what the symptoms you are experiencing indicate and what…

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How to Help a Teenager After a Traumatic Event
How to Help a Teenager After a Traumatic Event 2560 1707 Aware Behavioral Health

Experiencing a traumatic event is a challenge for anyone and it can be a struggle to deal with the emotions and memories that follow it. But recovery after trauma can be yet more challenging for teenagers in many instances. Many teenagers are still developing emotionally and may not yet have the mental capacity to process their experiences effectively. The teenage years can often be isolating as well, causing a teen to feel particularly alone after a traumatic event. But because dealing with trauma can be challenging for everyone, it can be difficult to know how to respond and give your…

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Why Do Depression and Anxiety Often Occur Together?
Why Do Depression and Anxiety Often Occur Together? 150 150 Aware Behavioral Health

When it comes to a dual diagnosis, depression and anxiety are two mental health diagnoses that will often occur together. It is common for someone with major depression or another mood disorder to develop anxiety, or for someone with an anxiety condition, like generalized anxiety, panic disorder, or OCD, to begin to experience depression. These two challenges may also occur independently of one another but manifest at the same time. Living with both anxiety and depression simultaneously can be significantly more challenging for your mental well being, but as these two separate conditions often occur together, they remain extremely treatable.…

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The Difference between Stress and Anxiety 
The Difference between Stress and Anxiety  150 150 Aware Behavioral Health

The terms stress and anxiety are often used interchangeably to describe the experience of something that encompasses your focus. This is because the two share similarities in their symptoms. Both have an activation of the fight or flight response, causing several different physical sensations. But the cause of the symptoms and the most effective treatment when either stress or anxiety becomes a more lasting challenge mental health challenge will differ. Causes of Stress versus Anxiety  When you are feeling stressed or anxious, your body will activate its fight or flight response. This releases different neurotransmitters in the brain, like adrenaline…

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Neurotransmitters and Happiness: How to Influence Your Brain Chemistry
Neurotransmitters and Happiness: How to Influence Your Brain Chemistry 150 150 Aware Behavioral Health

Your body’s functioning is controlled by hormones. This includes the emotions you feel as well. When these hormones are present in the brain, they are called neurotransmitters and they play a role in making you feel happy, sad, stressed, and angry. The four neurotransmitters tied to happiness are serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin. When something good happens, these neurotransmitters will flood your brain, making you feel content. Over time, the brain will reabsorb these neurotransmitters and the feelings will dissipate. When you can increase how often and how much neurotransmitters are released in the brain, you can often increase how…

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How to Be Happier – According to Science
How to Be Happier – According to Science 150 150 Aware Behavioral Health

Happiness is not a long term state, but rather one that fluctuates day to day, and even throughout the day. It is also not an emotion that is completely out of your control. While there are some factors of happiness that you cannot change, such as genetics and environment, about 40% of happiness is completely within your control. You can start changing your emotional state and working towards being happier by identifying what you can change and making alterations. These small steps – backed by scientific research – are easy ways to improve your happiness. Quick Ways to Be Happier …

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