Anxiety
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is more than everyday stress or worry. It is a medical condition where the brain’s alert system becomes overactive, sending signals of danger even when you are safe. Anxiety can affect thoughts, emotions, and the physical body — making it hard to relax, focus, sleep, or feel in control.
Biologically, anxiety involves heightened activity in the brain’s fear center and changes in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA. Genetics, trauma, chronic stress, and medical conditions can all contribute.
Psychologically, anxiety often causes constant worry, self-doubt, racing thoughts, and fear of negative outcomes. Many people describe feeling “always on edge” or unable to turn their mind off.
Anxiety is common and highly treatable, and most people improve significantly with the right care.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms vary by person and by type of anxiety, but may include:
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Excessive worry or fear
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Feeling “on edge” or unable to relax
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Racing thoughts
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Difficulty concentrating
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Irritability
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Trouble sleeping
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Restlessness or muscle tension
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Rapid heart rate or shortness of breath
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Panic attacks
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Avoiding people, places, or activities
How Is Anxiety Treated?
Treatment is individualized and may include:
Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Supportive therapy
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DBT, ACT, and trauma-informed approaches
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Learning coping skills, emotional regulation, thought-shifting, and habits that support mental health
Medication
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Antidepressants such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCA’s, or other atypical antidepressants
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As needed medications such as beta blockers, hydroxyzine, and benzodiazepines
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Low dose atypical antipsychotics, Ketamine therapy, or TMS for treatment resistant cases
Lifestyle & Support
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Nutrition, sleep, exercise, sunlight exposure
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Stress management and self-care routines
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Reducing substance use
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Community, family, and social support
Advanced Treatment Options
For people with more severe or treatment-resistant depression, options may include:
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Ketamine therapy
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Low dose antipsychotics
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TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
How We Can Help at Better Balance Mental Health
We understand how exhausting and overwhelming anxiety can feel. Many people with anxiety have been told to “just relax” or “stop worrying,” but we know it’s not that simple. Anxiety affects your mind, your body, your sleep, your confidence, and your daily life — and you deserve real support, not judgment.
At Better Balance Mental Health, we take time to truly listen and understand what you’re experiencing. We explore your symptoms, your stressors, and how anxiety impacts work, relationships, and everyday routines. From there, we work together to create a treatment plan that feels safe, realistic, and personalized to you.
We never push medication. Some people improve through therapy and coping strategies alone, others benefit from a combination of therapy and medication. Either way, you are always part of the decision.
Our goal is to help you feel calmer, more in control, and more confident—so anxiety stops running your life, and you can finally breathe easier.
You don’t have to fight anxiety alone. We’re here to help, one step at a time.