What is an anxiety disorder?
Everyone feels anxious sometimes. An anxiety disorder is different: the worry or fear is out of proportion to the situation, hard to control, and present most days. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in children, teens, and adults, and they often run alongside depression, ADHD, or substance use.
Common types include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): persistent worry about work, health, family, or money
- Panic disorder: sudden panic attacks with racing heart, shortness of breath, or a sense of doom
- Social anxiety disorder: intense fear of judgment or embarrassment in social or performance situations
- Specific phobias and separation anxiety, which are common in children
Physical symptoms matter too: muscle tension, stomach upset, headaches, restlessness, and trouble falling or staying asleep.
How Dr. Green can help
As a board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Green looks at the whole picture rather than just the worry. His evaluation covers your symptoms, sleep, caffeine and alcohol use, medical conditions, medications, and stressors, because these can all drive or mimic anxiety. For children and adolescents, he works closely with parents to understand how anxiety shows up at home and at school.
What treatment looks like
Anxiety treatment usually combines psychotherapy with practical changes, and medication when it's warranted. Through insight-oriented psychotherapy, you learn what fuels your anxiety, how past experiences shape your reactions, and how to respond differently. Sessions also address everyday tools: sleep, routines, and steps for facing avoided situations. Progress is reviewed at each follow-up visit, and the plan is adjusted as symptoms ease.
Is medication involved?
Sometimes. For persistent or disabling anxiety, medication can lower the baseline so therapy and daily life become manageable. First-line options are usually SSRIs or SNRIs, which are taken daily and are not habit-forming. Other non-addictive options, such as buspirone, may also be considered. Dr. Green is careful and conservative with benzodiazepines because of their risk of dependence, and he will talk through the benefits and trade-offs of any medication before you start.
Common questions about anxiety
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Anxiety commonly causes a racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, stomach problems, headaches, and muscle tension. It's wise to rule out medical causes, and a psychiatrist can help sort out what's driving the symptoms.
Will I need to take medication forever?
Usually not. Many patients take medication for a period of months to a year or longer, then taper off gradually with their psychiatrist's guidance once they've built skills and stability.
Anxiety help in Minneapolis, Excelsior and online
You don't have to keep white-knuckling through panic or constant worry. Dr. Green offers anxiety treatment for children, teens, and adults at his downtown Minneapolis office, in Excelsior, and through secure telehealth visits. Dr. Green is accepting new patients. Call the office to learn more about care options.