Table of Contents
Related Services
What Are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are conditions that impair a person's emotional stability, cognitive function, and daily life through persistent, excessive fear or worry. While feeling anxious in stressful situations (like a job interview or public speaking) is a normal human response, anxiety disorders signify a pattern of distress that requires professional intervention.
Anxiety is deeply intertwined with overall mental health. Chronic anxiety can contribute to the development of other conditions, such as Depression and Sleep Disorders. The physical toll is also significant, often manifesting as muscle tension, fatigue, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting over 40 million adults every year. Yet, despite being highly treatable, less than 40% of those suffering receive treatment. At Sunrise Human Care Services, we are committed to changing that statistic.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) categorizes anxiety based on symptom presentation and triggers. The most common types of anxiety disorders treated by our mental health professionals include:
Generalized Anxiety
Chronic, exaggerated worry about everyday life events with no obvious reasons for concern.
Panic Disorder
Sudden, repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms.
Social Anxiety
Overwhelming fear of social situations, judgment, and interacting with others.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Symptoms and Causes
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various things—including money, health, family, or work—even when there is little or no reason to worry. Individuals with GAD often expect disaster and struggle to control their anxiety.
Causes: GAD arises from a complex interaction of biological and environmental factors. Genetics play a role, as does brain chemistry (specifically, differences in the way the brain perceives and processes threats). Environmental factors like chronic stress, childhood trauma, or significant life changes can also trigger the onset of GAD.
Symptoms:
- Restlessness or feeling "on edge"
- Being easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Irritability and muscle tension
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Panic Disorder Symptoms and Causes
Panic Disorder involves sudden, recurring panic attacks—periods of intense fear or discomfort that reach a peak within minutes. People with panic disorder often worry about when the next attack will happen and actively avoid places where panic attacks have occurred in the past.
Causes: Like other anxiety disorders, genetics and severe stress are major contributors. Some research suggests that people with panic disorder may have a highly sensitive "fight or flight" response, causing their bodies to react to minor physical sensations as if they were life-threatening.
Symptoms:
- Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
- Sweating, trembling, or shaking
- Sensations of shortness of breath, smothering, or choking
- Feelings of impending doom or loss of control
- Nausea or abdominal distress
Accessible Anxiety Treatment in Darby, PA
At Sunrise Human Care Services, we proudly serve the Darby community and surrounding areas in Delaware County. Conveniently located at 869 Main Street, we make high-quality psychiatric care and anxiety therapy accessible.
100% Medicaid Acceptance
We exclusively accept Medicaid to ensure critical care reaches those who need it most.
Communities We Serve
Holli O'Donnell, Licensed Mental Health Professional
Holli O'Donnell is a dedicated mental health professional at Sunrise Human Care Services, specializing in the diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and trauma.
Last Updated: April 14, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there is a genetic component to anxiety disorders. Having a family member with an anxiety disorder can increase your risk. However, genetics are only one factor; environmental stressors, trauma, and brain chemistry also play significant roles.
Absolutely. Therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is considered the gold standard for anxiety treatment. It helps individuals identify and challenge anxious thoughts, develop coping strategies, and gradually face feared situations in a safe environment.
A panic attack is sudden, intense, and often occurs without an obvious trigger, accompanied by severe physical symptoms like a racing heart and shortness of breath. An 'anxiety attack' is not a clinical term, but people usually use it to describe a period of intense worry and distress that builds gradually, often in response to a specific stressor.
Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, if your anxiety is persistent, difficult to control, out of proportion to the actual danger, and interferes with your daily activities, relationships, or work, it may be an anxiety disorder that requires professional treatment.
Not necessarily. Many people effectively manage anxiety through therapy and lifestyle changes alone. However, for moderate to severe anxiety, a combination of therapy and psychiatric medication (such as SSRIs or SNRIs) is often the most effective approach. Our providers will evaluate your specific needs.
Start your recovery within 24 hours.
You shouldn't have to wait months for professional support. Our Darby clinical team is ready to respond to your request by the next business day. 100% confidential. Medicaid accepted.
Contact Info
Hours:
Mon - Fri, 9 AM - 5 PM
Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms and Causes
Social Anxiety Disorder goes beyond standard shyness. It is an intense, persistent fear of being watched, judged, or negatively evaluated by others in social or performance situations. It can severely impact a person's ability to attend school, work, or form relationships.
Causes: It can be a learned behavior—some people may develop the condition after an embarrassing social situation. There may also be a biological link, involving an overactive amygdala (the part of the brain that controls fear response).
Symptoms: