Struggling with Anxiety: Treatment Options for Rapid Relief

Anxiety can take over every aspect of someone’s life. We’re no stranger to the burdening impact anxiety can have on people. We see it all the time. You may find yourself canceling plans, avoiding work meetings, or constantly second-guessing yourself in everyday conversations. Some days, the world can even feel too loud or too fast. Other days, you might feel like you’re carrying a weight that no one else can see. If you’re living like this, it’s not just stress… it may be an anxiety disorder. If it is, you deserve more than just temporary fixes. You deserve answers, understanding, and lasting relief.

We know how debilitating anxiety can be at Serenity. We’ve helped thousands of patients navigate their way out of anxiety disorders with expert psychiatric care, medication management, and advanced therapies like TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). Serenity began with a mission: to provide transformative mental health care for people who feel like they’ve run out of options. Our board-certified psychiatrists offer compassionate, patient-first care. Many of our clinics are staffed by leaders in mental health innovation, including treatments like TMS for anxiety.

Do I Have Anxiety?

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. Anxiety is a natural response to stress, uncertainty, or danger. But when anxiety starts interfering with your daily life, relationships, or ability to function, it might be something more. An actual anxiety disorder is different from occasional nervousness. An anxiety disorder is persistent and, more often than not, there is no clear reason for it. If your worries seem out of proportion or you feel a near-constant sense of dread, it’s time to take those feelings seriously and seek relief.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders in the U.S., yet they’re often misunderstood. Many people dismiss their symptoms as simply being “high-strung” or “too sensitive.” In reality, someone like this may be dealing with a very real mental health condition that requires the top-tier professional support that our psychiatrists have to offer.

Common Anxiety Symptoms

Not all anxiety symptoms look the same, but some of the most common include:

- Constant or excessive worrying

- Restlessness or feeling “on edge”

- Trouble concentrating or feeling like your mind goes blank

- Muscle tension or physical discomfort

- Fatigue, even after a full night’s sleep

- Irritability or mood swings

- Sleep disturbances

- Physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, or shortness of breath

- Episodes of intense panic that seem to come out of nowhere

These anxiety symptoms can develop gradually, sometimes over years or decades at a time. In some instances, people may experience sudden episodes of panic, especially in social settings or high-stress environments. Whether your anxiety is low and constant or spikes without warning, it can rob you of your peace and make even the simplest tasks feel impossible.

How Anxiety is Diagnosed

If you think you might have an anxiety disorder, the first step is speaking with a psychiatrist or licensed mental health professional. Diagnosis typically involves a clinical interview, a review of your symptoms, and sometimes additional assessments to rule out other conditions. One of our providers will look at how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms, how severe they are, and how much they interfere with your life in order to establish a proper care plan.

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which involves chronic worrying

- Panic disorder, marked by sudden panic attacks

- Social anxiety disorder, related to fear of judgment or embarrassment in social situations

- Specific phobias, which are irrational fears of certain objects or situations

A proper diagnosis helps create a personalized treatment plan, which may include structured gratitude, anxiety medication, lifestyle changes, or more innovative options like TMS for anxiety.

How to Treat Anxiety

An anxiety treatment plan is never one-size-fits-all. It should be as unique as you are. At Serenity, our goal is to understand your full story before recommending any treatment. For some, that might mean starting with structured gratitude or lifestyle changes. For others, a combination of medication management and advanced therapies like TMS can provide faster, more lasting relief.

There is one thing we know for sure: ignoring anxiety doesn’t make it go away. It can worsen over time, lead to burnout, relationship issues, and even physical health problems. With the right care, anxiety is treatable. That’s what we aim to provide our patients.

What is Medication Management?

Anxiety medication is often the first line of defense for people with moderate to severe symptoms. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), and benzodiazepines are usually common options. These medications work by altering brain chemistry to reduce the intensity of anxiety symptoms and stabilize mood.

However, medication needs to be carefully managed. The right dosage, the right type of medication, and even the right timing can all make a big difference. That’s why Serenity’s psychiatrists provide close, ongoing support through every step of your medication management journey. We take time to track your progress, listen to your feedback, and adjust when needed. Most of all: we won’t just stop your treatment when something isn’t working; we’ll find what will.

What is TMS?

TMS, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is a medication-free treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain known to be impacted by anxiety. It’s FDA-approved and proven effective for patients with anxiety disorders. TMS is especially effective for those who haven’t found relief through traditional medications.

During a TMS session, a small device is placed against your scalp, and it sends gentle magnetic pulses to targeted areas like the prefrontal cortex. These pulses help normalize neural activity, reduce overactivity in anxiety circuits, and improve your brain’s ability to manage stress and emotions.

TMS for anxiety is painless, requires no downtime, and typically involves 20 to 30-minute sessions over several weeks. Many patients begin to feel better within the first few weeks, with improvements lasting after treatment ends.

Serenity’s TMS Success Rates

Serenity has treated thousands of patients across the country using TMS therapy. Many came to us after trying multiple anxiety medications and therapies with no real improvement. Some even felt hopeless until they tried TMS.

Our patient outcomes speak for themselves. Over 80% of Serenity patients report significant symptom reduction after a full course of TMS treatment, with just over 70% experiencing full remission of symptoms. That means fewer panic attacks, fewer sleepless nights, and more confidence in daily life.

What sets Serenity apart is not just our technology; it’s our commitment to every patient’s success. Our local anxiety doctors work hand-in-hand with you to build a plan that’s right for you. We believe healing is possible, and we won’t stop until we help you get there.

Paving a Way Forward

Living with anxiety can feel like walking through a fog with no clear direction. But you don’t have to find your way alone. Whether you’re facing constant worry, unexpected panic, or you’re just tired of pretending everything is fine, our team at Serenity is here to help.

With a dedicated psychiatrist by your side, along with personalized anxiety treatment and innovative options like TMS, you can find your way back to calm, balance, and control.

Let today be the day you take your first step. Click or call now to meet the team who will walk that road with you.