Anxiety Disorders Evaluation and Treatment Los Angeles

Comprehensive Anxiety Evaluation & Treatment in Los Angeles, California and New York

Feeling anxious from time to time can happen during life. However, when anxiety becomes persistent, overwhelming, or begins interfering with work, school, relationships, sleep, or daily functioning, it may represent an anxiety disorder rather than everyday stress.

At Ficus Psych, Gregory Sayer, MD provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and individualized treatment for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety disorders. Treatment is tailored to each person's symptoms, history, personality, life circumstances, and goals rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Whether anxiety has developed recently or has been present for many years, effective treatment is often available.

What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions. They involve excessive fear, worry, or physical symptoms that persist beyond what would be expected for a particular situation.
Anxiety can affect nearly every aspect of life, including:

Some individuals experience constant worry, while others develop panic attacks, avoid social situations, or experience significant physical symptoms despite normal medical evaluations.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety
Symptoms vary from person to person but may include:
Emotional symptoms

Physical symptoms

Cognitive symptoms

Behavioral symptoms

Types of Anxiety Disorders
Several different anxiety disorders exist, each with unique features.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about multiple areas of life, often occurring on most days for months or years.
People may worry about:

Many individuals recognize that the worrying feels excessive but find it difficult to control.

Panic Disorder
Panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks that may occur unexpectedly.
Symptoms often include:

Because panic attacks can feel similar to serious medical conditions, many people first seek emergency medical care before receiving an accurate psychiatric diagnosis.

Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety extends beyond ordinary shyness.
Individuals may fear:

Without treatment, social anxiety can limit educational, professional, and personal opportunities.

Specific Phobias
Specific phobias involve intense fear related to particular situations or objects such as:

Separation Anxiety
Although often associated with children, separation anxiety can occur in adolescents and adults and may significantly impact independence and relationships.

Anxiety Can Look Different in Children and Teenagers
Signs and symptoms of anxiety in children can include:

A comprehensive evaluation considers developmental factors and helps distinguish anxiety from ADHD, depression, learning disorders, autism spectrum disorder, or other conditions with overlapping symptoms.

Anxiety Is Often Treatable
Effective treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis.
Not every person experiencing anxiety has an anxiety disorder. Similarly, anxiety symptoms can sometimes result from medical conditions, medications, substance use, sleep disorders, trauma, depression, ADHD, or other psychiatric conditions.
A careful psychiatric evaluation helps clarify what is contributing to symptoms before developing a treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Anxiety Disorders
Treatment depends on the individual's symptoms, diagnosis, preferences, and clinical history.
Depending on the evaluation, recommendations may include:

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help individuals better understand and manage anxiety while addressing the psychological factors contributing to distress.
Treatment may include:

At Ficus Psych, psychotherapy recommendations are individualized rather than limited to a single therapeutic model.

Medication
For some individuals, medication can reduce anxiety symptoms and improve overall functioning.
Medication decisions are made collaboratively after discussing:

Medication is not appropriate for everyone, and treatment plans are individualized rather than routine.

Lifestyle Factors
Sleep, exercise, substance use, stress, medical health, and life circumstances may all contribute to anxiety symptoms and are considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Why a Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation Matters
Many psychiatric conditions share overlapping symptoms.
For example:

An accurate diagnosis helps ensure treatment is directed toward the underlying cause rather than symptoms alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a psychiatrist for anxiety?
If anxiety is interfering with work, school, relationships, sleep, or daily functioning—or if symptoms have persisted despite self-help or previous treatment—a psychiatric evaluation may be helpful.

Can anxiety occur without panic attacks?
Yes. Many people with anxiety disorders never experience panic attacks.

Is medication always necessary?
No. Some individuals benefit from psychotherapy alone, while others benefit from medication, or from a combination of both. Recommendations depend on each person's clinical presentation and preferences.

Can anxiety occur together with depression or ADHD?
Yes. Anxiety commonly co-occurs with depression, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma-related disorders, and other psychiatric conditions. A comprehensive evaluation can help clarify how these conditions interact and guide an individualized treatment plan.

Anxiety Treatment at Ficus Psych
Ficus Psych provides evidence-based psychiatric evaluation and treatment for anxiety disorders in children, adolescents, and adults.
Gregory Sayer, MD is board certified in both adult psychiatry and child & adolescent psychiatry and provides thoughtful, individualized care grounded in current evidence and clinical experience.
Treatment is available through in-person appointments in Beverly Hills and telepsychiatry for patients in California and New York.
If anxiety has become difficult to manage—or if previous treatment has not provided the improvement you hoped for—a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can help identify the factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan.

👉 Contact Ficus Psych today to schedule an introductory phone call.

Ficus Psych | 8500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills CA 90211

Quick Links

Address

8500 Wilshire Blvd

Beverly Hills CA 90211

Phone

929-243-4843

Anxiety Disorders Evaluation and Treatment Los Angeles

Comprehensive Anxiety Evaluation & Treatment in Los Angeles, California and New York

Whether anxiety has developed recently or has been present for many years, effective treatment is often available.

​ What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions. They involve excessive fear, worry, or physical symptoms that persist beyond what would be expected for a particular situation. Anxiety can affect nearly every aspect of life, including:

Work performance

Academic achievement

Relationships

Sleep

Concentration

Physical health

Confidence

Decision making

Some individuals experience constant worry, while others develop panic attacks, avoid social situations, or experience significant physical symptoms despite normal medical evaluations. ​ Common Symptoms of Anxiety Symptoms vary from person to person but may include: Emotional symptoms

Excessive worrying

Feeling constantly "on edge"

Difficulty relaxing

Irritability

Feeling overwhelmed

Fear that something bad will happen

Physical symptoms

Racing heart

Chest tightness

Shortness of breath

Sweating

Trembling

Muscle tension

Headaches

Stomach discomfort

Dizziness

Nausea

Cognitive symptoms

Overthinking

Difficulty concentrating

Racing thoughts

Indecisiveness

Behavioral symptoms

Avoiding situations

Difficulty speaking in groups

Procrastination due to fear

Repeated checking or reassurance seeking

Trouble leaving home

Declining invitations or opportunities

​ Types of Anxiety Disorders Several different anxiety disorders exist, each with unique features. ​ Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about multiple areas of life, often occurring on most days for months or years. People may worry about:

Health

Family

Work

Finances

School

Relationships

Future events

Many individuals recognize that the worrying feels excessive but find it difficult to control. ​ Panic Disorder Panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks that may occur unexpectedly. Symptoms often include:

Racing heart

Chest pain

Sweating

Feeling unable to breathe

Dizziness

Fear of dying

Fear of losing control

Because panic attacks can feel similar to serious medical conditions, many people first seek emergency medical care before receiving an accurate psychiatric diagnosis. ​ Social Anxiety Disorder Social anxiety extends beyond ordinary shyness. Individuals may fear:

Public speaking

Meetings

Dating

Eating in front of others

Conversations

Interviews

Being judged or embarrassed

Without treatment, social anxiety can limit educational, professional, and personal opportunities. ​ Specific Phobias Specific phobias involve intense fear related to particular situations or objects such as:

Flying

Heights

Needles

Vomiting

Medical procedures

Animals

Enclosed spaces

​ Separation Anxiety Although often associated with children, separation anxiety can occur in adolescents and adults and may significantly impact independence and relationships. ​​

Anxiety Can Look Different in Children and Teenagers Signs and symptoms of anxiety in children can include:

School refusal

Irritability

Frequent stomachaches

What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions. They involve excessive fear, worry, or physical symptoms that persist beyond what would be expected for a particular situation.
Anxiety can affect nearly every aspect of life, including:

Some individuals experience constant worry, while others develop panic attacks, avoid social situations, or experience significant physical symptoms despite normal medical evaluations.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety
Symptoms vary from person to person but may include:
Emotional symptoms

Types of Anxiety Disorders
Several different anxiety disorders exist, each with unique features.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about multiple areas of life, often occurring on most days for months or years.
People may worry about:

Many individuals recognize that the worrying feels excessive but find it difficult to control.

Panic Disorder
Panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks that may occur unexpectedly.
Symptoms often include:

Because panic attacks can feel similar to serious medical conditions, many people first seek emergency medical care before receiving an accurate psychiatric diagnosis.

Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety extends beyond ordinary shyness.
Individuals may fear:

Without treatment, social anxiety can limit educational, professional, and personal opportunities.

Specific Phobias
Specific phobias involve intense fear related to particular situations or objects such as:

Separation Anxiety
Although often associated with children, separation anxiety can occur in adolescents and adults and may significantly impact independence and relationships.

Anxiety Can Look Different in Children and Teenagers
Signs and symptoms of anxiety in children can include:

Treatment Options for Anxiety Disorders
Treatment depends on the individual's symptoms, diagnosis, preferences, and clinical history.
Depending on the evaluation, recommendations may include:

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help individuals better understand and manage anxiety while addressing the psychological factors contributing to distress.
Treatment may include:

Medication
For some individuals, medication can reduce anxiety symptoms and improve overall functioning.
Medication decisions are made collaboratively after discussing:

Lifestyle Factors
Sleep, exercise, substance use, stress, medical health, and life circumstances may all contribute to anxiety symptoms and are considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Why a Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation Matters
Many psychiatric conditions share overlapping symptoms.
For example:

An accurate diagnosis helps ensure treatment is directed toward the underlying cause rather than symptoms alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a psychiatrist for anxiety?
If anxiety is interfering with work, school, relationships, sleep, or daily functioning—or if symptoms have persisted despite self-help or previous treatment—a psychiatric evaluation may be helpful.

Can anxiety occur without panic attacks?
Yes. Many people with anxiety disorders never experience panic attacks.

Is medication always necessary?
No. Some individuals benefit from psychotherapy alone, while others benefit from medication, or from a combination of both. Recommendations depend on each person's clinical presentation and preferences.