Neuropsychiatry for the Treatment of Anxiety

Neha Gaur
Neuropsychiatry for the Treatment of Anxiety

Sarah’s mother had been receiving treatment for her migraines for the past two years. However, for the past few days, she had been experiencing constant anxiety, her heart would race even while she was sleeping, and she began to wonder: “Could her physician help with her anxiety as well?” In fact, many patients ask this very question: what should they do if they are experiencing anxiety in their daily lives?

The simple answer: yes. If anxiety arises from any brain disease or neurological issue, a neurologist is the right person to treat your anxiety. However, in case anxiety is there on its own and there is no brain disorder, then a regular psychiatrist can help you.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a neuropsychiatrist?

The difference between neurologists and other mental health professionals is:

Neurologists are the doctors who mainly focus on brain disorders associated with cognitive and behavioral abnormalities, including front-end physical signs. These ailments are characterized by motor dysfunctions, and likewise, in the case of anxiety, they look into the neurobiological aspects of your symptomologies.

Psychiatrists are the ones who focus more on mood and thought disorders. They specialize in mental disease and provide both medication management and therapy.

Neuropsychiatrists are dual specialists. They can have a psychiatry or a neurology background and must be certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. 

What Makes Neuropsychiatrists Special?

The neuropsychiatrist has proficiency in multiple areas of medicine:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Cerebral anatomical knowledge
  • Body functions
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Body chemical processes
  • Genetics
  • Hormone functions

They are highly trained in understanding how the structure and chemical makeup of your brain can contribute to anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, they can develop treatment plans that address both the physical and emotional aspects of your condition. Specialized OCD treatment approaches may also be included for you if you are experiencing obsessive-compulsive symptoms along with anxiety.

Understanding Your Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety uniquely affects many people. You may:

  • Have a feeling of anxiety, agitation, or frustration
  • Have a rapid heartbeat
  • Be shaking and sweating
  • Have difficulties setting or remaining asleep
  • Get regular stomach pains
  • Experience ongoing worry about anything
  • Be unable to concentrate

Anxiety often emerges due to the brain chemical imbalances, such as serotonin and GABA. Neuropsychiatrists know that personal life stressors and genetic factors can be mechanisms of anxiety in the mind. Additionally, there are various types of anxiety. Some of them are as follows:

  • Continuous anxiety: Such cases of anxiety happen between seizures or the manifestations of the disorders. It exists on its own, and thus, it demands a separate treatment regimen
  • Medication-induced anxiety: Sometimes the drug you use for a neurological condition can act as a side effect of anxiety.
  • Seizure-related anxiety: This anxiety occurs before, during, or after the seizures. 
  • Fear-based anxiety: This occurs as a result of the fear of having another seizure or having to deal with the brain condition.

How Neuropsychiatrists Approach Anxiety Treatment?

When you consult a neuropsychiatrist, anxiety diagnosis and management are approached from a biological perspective based on brain structure and chemistry. So, basically, a person with anxiety examines through 

  • a medical perspective (i.e., evaluation of their anxiety and the causes of their symptoms, stemming from a malfunction in their brain)

For example, if your condition is due to blood vessel problems in your brain, a neuropsychiatrist might review your MRI scan to see which parts of your brain may have been compromised. This can also allow them to find out why you feel this way.

A neuropsychiatrist evaluation will include several significant factors:

  • Supplemental due to vitamin deficiencies
  • Underlying causes contributing to your treatment
  • Genetic significance on your mental health
  • Physical brain concerns, such as injuries or abnormal changes
  • Neurological challenges, such as seizures, could contribute to your symptoms

How Neuropsychiatrists Diagnose and Treat Anxiety?

A neuropsychiatrist will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the patient. The process is included as follows:

  • Clinical Assessment: A neuropsychiatrist will perform a clinical assessment, such as asking you some very detailed questions about your discomfort, the report concerning your disease, and how much anxiety you go through every single day.
  • Brain Function Evaluation: Some tests may be implemented for the purpose of understanding how your brain functions and if there are any physical sources of your anxiety.
  • Treatment Planning: Based on your comprehensive diagnostic report, the neuropsychiatrist will create a customized treatment plan for you. 

Different Types of Anxiety Treatment

Medicine Options:

Your neuropsychiatrist might give you medicine that helps balance chemicals in your brain. Common medicines include:

  • SSRI medicines (these help with serotonin levels)
  • SNRI medicines (these work on different brain chemicals)
  • Anti-anxiety medicines for panic attacks

In addition, you can also consult a psychopharmacologist, who can provide you with a personalized medication plan specifically formulated to help with the symptoms of mental health problems, including anxiety.

Therapy and Counseling:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of therapy that introduces you to new perspectives about your anxious ideas and thoughts. This talk therapy teaches you how to identify and change distorted thinking so you can be in better control of your thoughts and feelings. 

Simple Daily Changes:

There are a few things your doctor might suggest you do differently on a daily basis:

  • Getting better sleep
  • Eating a healthy, balanced diet
  • Practice some exercises
  • Learning to relax. Practice relaxation techniques, including structured settings of undisturbed minds, such as deep breathing and mindfulness
  • Connecting with supportive friends or family

Telepsychiatry Services

If you are having difficulty finding a neuropsychiatrist in your state or area, you can seek online consultation. GABA Telepsychiatry provides online neuropsychiatry services in several states in the United States.

What if my neuropsychiatrist is not licensed in my state? If your neuropsychiatrist is not licensed in your state, they can consult with your primary care doctor, psychiatrist, or neurologist, and provide a second opinion or help in developing a treatment plan.

There are several advantages to seeking help from an online psychiatrist, especially if you live in a remote area where these specialists are not readily available:

  • Convenience: You can consult a psychiatrist online from your home. You do not have to spend much time traveling or take off days of work for appointments.
  • Better Access: Even when you live far away, this makes it possible to get this kind of care if your local area lacks such a service.
  • Privacy: Online consultations will protect your personal identity. Every conversation that you will take part in with your neuropsychiatrist is completely confidential and private.
  • Flexibility: You can schedule your appointments at whichever time suits your daily routine best.
  • Cost Savings: An online consultation is affordable. You also save money on travel expenses and the time taken off from work.

The Takeaway

Neuropsychiatrists adopt a biological approach that focuses on brain disorders and biochemistry. For example, a person who has had a head injury and now has anxiety may be one symptom. The neuropsychiatrist can make an assessment of how the trauma can affect the healing process of the brain and thus develop a treatment plan that addresses the neurological and psychological needs of the patient.

Whether you choose a neurologist, psychiatrist, or neuropsychiatrist, the most important thing is to take the first step toward getting the help you need. Remember that dealing with anxiety on your own is not easy. With the right medical help and treatment plan, you can learn anxiety management techniques and improve your quality of life. 

 

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