Anxiety

Does anxiety affect your quality of life? If so, the experts at Dreamscape Ketamine and Wellness in San Diego, California, can help. Founder Lindsey Garrett, RN, MBA, CCRN, and team member Benjamin Illum, MD, provide alternative treatment to help you overcome your challenges with anxiety so you can thrive. Book an appointment today by phone or use the online scheduling tool any time, day or night.

What is the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder?

Anxiety is a normal human emotion characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease about future uncertainties. It’s a natural response to stress or perceived threats, often fleeting and proportional to the situation. 

On the other hand, an anxiety disorder involves excessive, persistent worry or fear that can significantly impact your daily life. These disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and others, cause intense, prolonged distress, disrupting daily functioning. 

A clinical diagnosis often requires that symptoms persist for at least six months, affecting the personal, social, and professional aspects of your life. Unlike fleeting anxiety, anxiety disorders necessitate professional intervention and management strategies.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Symptoms of anxiety can vary widely among individuals but commonly include:

• Excessive worry
• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Muscle tension
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Racing thoughts
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irrational fears
• Intrusive thoughts

Anxiety can also cause you to avoid situations that trigger the condition.

What causes anxiety?

Anxiety can stem from a combination of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life experiences. 

Genetics may predispose you to anxiety disorders, while imbalances in brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) can also contribute to its onset. In addition, traumatic events, chronic stress, or significant life changes can also trigger or exacerbate anxiety. 

Other contributors may include underlying medical conditions or substance misuse. 

I have anxiety. What are my treatment options?

At Dreamscape Ketamine and Wellness, treatment approaches for anxiety involve various methods, including therapy, medications, and lifestyle modifications. The team also offers alternative treatments, including: 

Intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions

Ketamine has gained attention for its potential to treat severe and treatment-resistant anxiety. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that’s administered intravenously in a controlled setting under medical supervision. It works by balancing certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which can provide rapid relief from symptoms.

The Dreamscape Ketamine and Wellness team carefully administers and monitors the delivery of treatments. The goal is to provide efficacy and safety.

To learn more about alternative treatments for anxiety, call or book online for a consultation with the mental health experts at Dreamscape Ketamine and Wellness today.