Anxiety Psychiatrist in NYC

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Anxiety Psychiatrist in NYC

We live in stressful times, and they can be particularly stressful for young people. In 2019, it was estimated that 1 in every 3 American teenagers was showing symptoms of anxiety disorder—and the World Health Organization reported that the prevalence of anxiety and depression amongst the general population increased by an astonishing 25% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. A young person’s anxiety can have many different causes, including pressure to succeed in our culture of achievement, their knowledge of frightening world events (such as school shootings, pandemics, climate change, and political events,) and social media use, which has been found to harm self-esteem. Chronic anxiety can lead to serious problems such as depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.

The symptoms of anxiety include:

Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
A sense of impending danger, panic or doom
Increased heart rate
Hyperventilating
Sweating
Trembling
Feeling weak or tired
Gastrointestinal problems
Difficulty controlling worry

As a parent, you may not know that your child or teen is experiencing specific symptoms, but you may see signs such as:

Recurring fears and worries about routine parts of daily life
Changes in behavior
Avoiding activities, school, or social interactions
Dropping grades
Trouble sleeping or concentrating
Substance use or other risky behaviors
Physical complaints, such as fatigue, headaches, or stomach aches

If your child is suffering from anxiety, working with a psychiatrist can help them to cope. Sometimes talk therapy is helpful on its own, other times a combination of talk therapy and medication is used to bring symptoms under control.

Treating Anxiety in Children and Teens

It’s estimated that approximately 80% of US children with a diagnosable anxiety disorder are not receiving treatment. However, anxiety disorders are highly treatable—and the earlier your child is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat their symptoms.

The two most effective treatments for anxiety disorders are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) medications. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on working with your child to change how they think about their fears. It might include relaxation strategies like deep breathing and positive self-talk. It might also include slowly increasing exposure to feared situations. SSRIs are commonly-prescribed antidepressants that are often used for treating anxiety in children. 80% of children respond well to a combination of these two treatments, with a positive response seen within the first twelve weeks. 65% of children responded well to CBT alone.

Supporting Your Child

The most important thing you can do for your child is to have them evaluated by a professional. An online service such as Skypiatrist (available in the New York City area) offers evaluation and treatment options with little disruption to your child’s life. Skypiatrist can usually schedule an appointment within days.

Of course, lifestyle also plays a role in managing anxiety, so be sure that you support your child’s wellbeing in other ways by ensuring that they eat healthy foods, get plenty of exercise, and have a quiet (and unplugged) place to sleep. Meditation, yoga, and even using relaxation apps can also be useful.

Untreated anxiety can be difficult to live with. Get your child the help they need.