Anxiety and panic attacks
Anxiety can show up as persistent worry, tension, racing thoughts, avoidance, or panic attacks.
Most appointments are provided by secure video for patients located in California.
Reasons people seek help
- Worry that feels difficult to control
- Physical tension, restlessness, or racing thoughts
- Panic episodes or fear of another episode
- Avoidance of social, work, travel, or everyday situations
- Sleep or concentration disrupted by anxiety
- Perfectionism or fear that strains responsibilities and relationships
What an anxiety evaluation may involve
Dr. Yang asks about the timeline of your concerns, physical sensations, panic episodes, avoidance, sleep, daily stress, medical history, prior treatment, current medications, and what you hope will change.
Because anxiety can overlap with depression, trauma responses, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, mood changes, substance effects, or medical concerns, a clear diagnosis may take more than one visit.
How anxiety care may be approached
Care may include medication management and psychotherapy integrated into psychiatric care. Discussion may focus on how worry, panic, avoidance, perfectionism, and physical tension affect daily life.
If medication is considered, Dr. Yang reviews prior experiences, preferences, benefits, limitations, and side effects before you decide together. Follow-up focuses on how symptoms and daily functioning change over time.
When another setting may be needed
Severe or rapidly worsening anxiety, inability to function safely, or symptoms that could reflect a medical emergency may require urgent or in-person evaluation. Care requiring frequent in-person monitoring or specialized controlled-medication management may also be better served in another setting.
Common questions about anxiety treatment
How do I know whether my anxiety is serious enough to see a psychiatrist?
People often seek an evaluation when anxiety is persistent, hard to control, or begins to affect sleep, work, relationships, health habits, or important decisions. You do not have to determine whether it meets a specific diagnosis first.
Can panic attacks be evaluated if I am not having one during the appointment?
Yes. The evaluation considers what episodes feel like, how they begin, how long they last, and whether they have changed your behavior. A panic episode does not need to occur during the visit.
Helpful before scheduling
You don’t have to figure out the next step alone.
If anxiety or panic is disrupting daily life, a thoughtful evaluation can help.