Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States. Generalized anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety can affect sleep, work, relationships, and physical health.
At the Washington Interventional Psychiatry practices, WIP-DC and WIP-Rockville, psychiatrists start with an accurate diagnosis, then treat anxiety with medication management. When standard treatment isn’t enough, we add options such as TMS, IV ketamine, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and stellate ganglion block. We serve patients across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
Everyone feels anxious sometimes. Consider seeing a psychiatrist if you or a loved one experiences:
A psychiatric evaluation, in person or by telehealth, identifies the type of anxiety and any conditions that come with it, so treatment targets the right problem.
Anxiety disorders affect about 19% of U.S. adults each year and about 31% at some point in their lives, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
| Type | What it is | How common (U.S. adults, past year) |
|---|---|---|
| Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) | Ongoing, hard-to-control worry about everyday things, with physical symptoms such as tension and poor sleep. | About 2.7% (NIMH) |
| Panic disorder | Repeated, unexpected panic attacks and fear of the next one. | About 2.7% (NIMH) |
| Social anxiety disorder | Intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social or performance situations. | About 7.1% (NIMH) |
| Specific phobias | Strong, lasting fear of a particular object or situation, such as flying or heights. | Common, often starting in childhood |
Related conditions include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and PTSD, which are treated differently.
In adults, anxiety often shows up as constant worry, tension, poor sleep, and avoiding situations that trigger fear. It frequently comes with depression.
Children may not say they feel anxious. Instead they may have stomachaches or headaches, cling to parents, refuse school, have tantrums, or struggle to sleep alone. Our fellowship-trained child and adolescent psychiatrists evaluate and treat anxiety in children and teens with medication management and coordination with therapists and schools. Ketamine and SGB are for adults. For teens 15 and older whose anxiety comes with depression, TMS is FDA-cleared as an add-on treatment for the depression.
Anxiety disorders come from a mix of genetics, brain chemistry, temperament, and life experience. Common risk factors:
Most patients start with a psychiatric evaluation and medication management, often alongside therapy. When anxiety hasn’t responded, or comes with depression or trauma, your psychiatrist can add interventional treatment in the same plan.
SSRIs and SNRIs are usually first-line and are FDA-approved for several anxiety disorders. Your psychiatrist chooses, adjusts, and follows your medication over time.
A non-medication treatment given in the office, with no anesthesia or downtime. Often considered when anxiety comes with depression.
Low-dose infusions under medical monitoring for anxiety that hasn’t responded to standard treatment.
Ketamine paired with therapy sessions to work through the patterns that drive anxiety.
An injection that calms the body’s fight-or-flight response. Used especially when anxiety is trauma-related.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a core anxiety treatment. We coordinate with your therapist or help you find one.
TMS, ketamine, and SGB are not FDA-approved for anxiety disorders, and their use for anxiety is off-label. Your psychiatrist will review the evidence, risks, and alternatives with you.
Asking mainly about TMS, ketamine, or SGB? Start with a complimentary consult for interventional treatment. You can also read reviews from our patients.
WIP-DC: 4325 49th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016
WIP-Rockville: 1801 Rockville Pike, Suite 110, Rockville, MD 20852
Prefer to start from home? See a psychiatrist by video. WIP offers telepsychiatry for patients located in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
When worry, panic, or fear lasts for weeks, feels out of proportion, or gets in the way of work, sleep, or relationships. A psychiatrist can diagnose the specific anxiety disorder and check for conditions that often come with it, such as depression or ADHD.
Anxiety is a normal response to stress that passes. An anxiety disorder is persistent, hard to control, and interferes with daily life.
SSRIs and SNRIs are usually first-line. Your psychiatrist may use other medications for short-term relief or sleep, and will adjust the plan over time.
They can be options when anxiety hasn’t responded to standard treatment, especially when it comes with depression or trauma. Their use for anxiety disorders is off-label, and your psychiatrist will review the evidence with you.
Yes. Our fellowship-trained child and adolescent psychiatrists evaluate and treat anxiety with medication management and coordination with therapists and schools. Ketamine and SGB are for adults. For teens 15 and older whose anxiety comes with depression, TMS is FDA-cleared as an add-on treatment for the depression.
At WIP-DC in Spring Valley (4325 49th St NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016) and WIP-Rockville (1801 Rockville Pike, Suite 110, Rockville, MD 20852), or by telehealth for patients in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your symptoms and treatment options. Call (202) 525-5123 for WIP-DC or (240) 995-6005 for WIP-Rockville.
