Anxiety Treatment
PTSD Treatment
Anxiety Treatment San Jose & Los Gatos, CA | PTSD Treatment
Constant worry keeping you from enjoying your life in San Jose and Los Gatos? Lumos Psychiatric Services helps Californians with an anxiety disorder or trauma-related disorder manage their symptoms and finally find a sense of calm in their lives. If trauma or anxiety symptoms are holding you back from living your best life, click the button below to schedule a consultation now.
What is an Anxiety Disorder?
Small episodes of feeling anxious are part of life. But when worry, racing thoughts, and nervousness occur frequently and don’t go away after the trigger has passed, you may have an anxiety disorder.
If you are struggling with anxiety disorder, you are far from alone. Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting more than 40 million people. Anxiety is more prevalent among middle-aged adults, but it can develop at any stage of life.
Anxiety Symptoms
Healthy anxiety is a natural process that helps prepare for potential threats. People with an anxiety disorder, however, may experience anxiety symptoms that occur even if no threat is present or that are out of proportion with the triggering event.
Common anxiety symptoms include:
- Panic attacks
- Restlessness
- Nervousness
- Feelings of impending doom, with or without a trigger
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Racing thoughts
- Difficulty concentrating
- Doomsday thinking
- Moodiness
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
Understanding the Causes of Anxiety Disorders
Understanding the causes of anxiety disorders requires knowing the various factors that may play a role in their development. Anxiety disorders are complicated and can be caused by several things, like:
- Genetic factors – Some people may be more likely to get anxious because of something in their genes
- Brain chemistry – Anxiety problems can be caused by imbalances in the neurotransmitters in the brain
- Stresses in the environment – Life experiences, traumatic events, and everyday stressors can cause or make anxiety feelings worse
- Medical conditions – Some health problems can cause anxiety or make the symptoms of worry worse
- Lifestyle – Workload, personal relationships, and other parts of a person’s daily life can all play a role in the development of anxiety disorders
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders occur in many forms. Lumos Psychiatric Services specializes in treating all types of anxiety disorders, including but not limited to:
- Generalized anxiety disorder – Persistent worry and anxiety about routine experiences that are out of proportion to the situation
- Panic disorder – Sudden feelings of crippling fear that peak within minutes and then fade. These are known as panic attacks
- Social anxiety disorder – Extreme anxiety, self-consciousness, and embarrassment that leads to avoidance of social situations
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder – Repeated urges to do something over and over again, such as check the door locks repeatedly even though you realize you just checked them
Anxiety Treatment at our Psychiatric Clinic in San Jose and Los Gatos, CA
Fortunately, there are plenty of effective treatments for anxiety disorders. We help our patients reclaim control over their lives with a combination of anxiety medication, anxiety therapy, and lifestyle changes. Most people with anxiety disorder see a dramatic improvement in their anxiety symptoms with a combination of these methods.
Anxiety medication – There are many different anxiety medications available to help anxiety sufferers manage their symptoms and treat anxiety at its root. Daily and as-needed anxiety medications are available to better customize your treatment to meet your needs.
Anxiety therapy – Talk therapy for anxiety can help patients work through issues such as trauma, everyday stressors, and their personal history to address the psychological components of their anxiety diagnosis. Dr. Sarbani Maitra and her team help patients develop healthy coping mechanisms and other behavioral changes that can help them manage their anxiety and deal with stress.
Anxiety FAQs
Is it good to see a psychiatrist for anxiety?
Yes, seeing a psychiatrist for anxiety is beneficial. They specialize in diagnosing and treating anxiety, helping you understand its causes and create a personalized treatment plan. This may include therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. At Lumos Psychiatric Services, we offer care tailored to each individual’s needs.
Which doctor is best for anxiety disorder?
A psychiatrist or psychologist specializing in anxiety disorders is ideal for consultation. They can diagnose and treat anxiety through therapy and medication. A general practitioner may also assist with initial diagnosis and referrals to a mental health specialist.
What are the 7 signs of anxiety?
Anxiety can manifest in many ways, but common signs include:
- Constant worry or fear
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances such as insomnia
- Physical symptoms like rapid heart rate or trembling
- Avoidance of situations that may cause anxiety
- Irritability or mood swings
What are 3 coping strategies for anxiety?
Coping strategies for anxiety vary by individual, but here are three general methods that may be helpful:
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Cognitive-behavioral techniques
- Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle Tips for Managing Anxiety and Stress
Managing anxiety and stress involves more than therapy and medication; it also requires incorporating healthy lifestyle choices into daily routines.
These changes can complement clinical treatment, offering holistic care for those struggling with anxiety disorders. Here are some helpful lifestyle tips to manage anxiety and stress:
- Mindfulness practices – Engaging in mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and focused relaxation can help alleviate stress
- Exercise regularly – Physical activity is a natural stress-reliever and can boost overall well-being
- Eat well – Balanced and nutritious meals can have a positive effect on overall mood and energy levels
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine – These substances might exacerbate anxiety for some individuals
- Create a support system – Building relationships and leaning on friends and family for support can make a significant difference in managing anxiety
- Set reachable goals – Breaking up large tasks into smaller, achievable ones and prioritizing can prevent overwhelming stress
- Seek professional help if needed – Sometimes, professional guidance from a mental health expert is necessary to develop effective coping strategies
At Lumos Psychiatric Services in San Jose and Los Gatos, we believe in an integrated approach to treating anxiety and stress, blending clinical expertise with lifestyle changes to help our patients find lasting peace and balance in their lives.
What are Trauma-Related Disorders?
Trauma-related disorders are mental health conditions that are brought on by traumatic events. These disorders cause negative thought and behavior patterns that can seriously disrupt the life and development of sufferers. Lumos Psychiatric Services treats all forms of trauma-related disorders, including:
Post-traumatic stress disorder – PTSD develops after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. Though PTSD is often correlated with soldiers at war, many other traumatic events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, including being a victim of a crime, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and other traumatic events.
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms include intrusive memories of the event, avoidance of people or places that remind the patient of the event, negative changes in mood or thought patterns, and arousal symptoms such as being easily startled or always feeling “on guard.”
Acute stress disorder – Acute stress disorder is similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. Acute stress disorder occurs within a month of the traumatic event, and it can last for days or weeks. Symptoms of acute stress disorder are similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Reactive attachment disorder – Reactive attachment disorder occurs when a child does not establish a healthy attachment to its caregivers. This typically happens when a child’s basic needs for comfort and attention are not met, leading to a lack of healthy attachment early in life. Symptoms of reactive attachment disorder include unexplained fear or sadness, failure to smile, not engaging in social interaction, and not seeking comfort.
Treatment for Trauma-Related Disorders
We find that patients who struggle with trauma-related disorders respond well to a combination of medication, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes. We work with each patient to design a treatment plan that fits their unique situation and puts them on a path to recovery.
Ready to reclaim your life?
Lumos Psychiatric Services can help. Fill out the form below to schedule your appointment now.
Dr. Maitra is awesome! I can't say enough about her. She cares about her patients and has a great team of co-workers. Swati goes above and beyond and handles extra tasks for me. More than recommended for anyone who wants a great professional at an accommodating clinic with a lovely team of staff members. Thanks for everything, guys!
-A. A.
I didn't want to consult a psychiatrist because my lifestyle demanded mental health therapy. I thought I could do it all, handle it all, and be the superwoman everyone thought I was and my family expected of me...anxiety and depression took over my life and I tried everything to rise above it. In my 20s, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Left untreated, the symptoms tormented my life and hurt people I loved. Dr. Maitra is compassionate and the best psychiatrist around. She helped me understand I had a biological imbalance, not just a mental illness. She gave me the strength to share my journey without shame. Dr. Maitra has also been helping me with other private concerns, so I'm confident and hopeful I can overcome these too. Her office is gorgeous and her team handles the important aspects! I would recommend her to anyone who needs a second or third opportunity, is hesitant about a diagnosis, fears judgment, or has lost hope!
She's humble and kind. If you trust her, she can change your life too!
-I. A.
Dr. Sarbani Maitra,
MD, Psychiatrist
Meet Dr. Maitra
Sarbani Maitra, MD is a board eligible psychiatrist. She has a Bachelors in Science from Tennessee Technological University in Chemistry leading up to her doctorate of medicine from the American University of the Caribbean Medical School. She then went on to gain clinical experience at Queen’s Hospital (erstwhile Old Church Hospital), London U.K. for a period of three years. She pursued her residency in Psychiatry at Meharry Medical College in Nashville Tennessee after working in research on women’s health issues at the Center of Women’s Health and Research. Dr Maitra has extensive experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings managing patients across the spectrum with psychotic disorders, mood disorders, trauma-related disorders and patients struggling with substance use disorders. She believes in an integrated approach to mental health which includes the biopsychosocial approach. [Read More]