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J. Connor Barnhart, MD

Anxiety Treatment in San Francisco

Also known as: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD, Anxiety Disorder, Nervousness, Chronic Worry

3 min readLast updated: 2026-02-20
Reviewed by J. Connor Barnhart, MD

Anxiety is a mental health condition that can involve persistent worry, nervousness, or unease about events with uncertain outcomes. Anxiety disorders may include excessive fear that can interfere with daily activities.

At a Glance

  • Anxiety disorders affect approximately 31% of U.S. adults at some point in their lives[1]
  • Women are approximately twice as likely as men to experience anxiety disorders[4]
  • Among adults with past-year anxiety disorders, approximately 23% experience serious impairment[1]
  • Early intervention and treatment can often improve outcomes for anxiety disorders
  • Anxiety symptoms may include persistent worry, physical tension, and sleep disturbances

Affected Anatomy

  • Central nervous system
  • Autonomic nervous system
  • Adrenal glands
  • Cardiovascular system
  • Digestive system

What are the symptoms of Anxiety?

  • Persistent worry or fear that may seem disproportionate to the situation
  • Restlessness or feeling on edge
  • Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
  • Muscle tension, especially in shoulders and neck
  • Sleep disturbances, including difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Fatigue despite adequate rest
  • Irritability
  • Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
  • Sweating or trembling
  • Gastrointestinal issues

When to See a Psychiatrist for Anxiety

  • Anxiety that interferes with work, relationships, or daily functioning
  • Persistent worry or fear that feels disproportionate to the situation
  • Physical symptoms such as chest tightness, rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath
  • Panic attacks or avoidance of situations due to anxiety
  • Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or relaxing despite self-care efforts
  • Use of alcohol or substances to cope with anxious feelings

If any of these apply, consider reaching out to schedule a visit.

What causes Anxiety?

Causes

  • Structural and functional differences in brain regions involved in fear regulation
  • Genetics and family history of anxiety disorders
  • Chronic stress from work, relationships, or life circumstances
  • Traumatic life experiences
  • Medical conditions such as thyroid disorders
  • Substance use or withdrawal

Risk Factors

  • Family history of anxiety or mental health conditions
  • Exposure to stressful or traumatic events
  • Certain personality types, particularly those prone to negative thinking
  • Chronic health conditions
  • Substance use
  • Female sex (anxiety disorders are more common in women)

How It's Diagnosed

  • 1Comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional
  • 2Review of symptoms and medical history
  • 3Physical exam and lab testing to rule out other conditions
  • 4Psychological questionnaires and assessments

How is Anxiety treated?

I offer several approaches for anxiety:

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is an evidence-supported form of talk therapy rooted in longstanding psychoanalytic theory about how unconscious thoughts, past ...

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and modifying unhelpful patterns ...

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Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, refers to a variety of treatment approaches that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions,...

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Medication Management

Medication management refers to the ongoing, physician-supervised process of prescribing, monitoring, and adjusting psychiatric medications to treat m...

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Lifestyle Optimization

Lifestyle optimization is an evidence-based approach to mental health that uses individually tailored behavioral interventions – including sleep hygie...

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Prognosis and Recovery

  • Many people experience significant improvement with appropriate treatment
  • Symptoms may fluctuate over time
  • Early intervention often leads to better outcomes
  • Ongoing management may be necessary for some individuals
  • Combination of therapies often provides the best results

Frequently Asked Questions

Anxiety is a mental health condition involving persistent worry, nervousness, or unease about events with uncertain outcomes. While occasional anxiety is a normal stress response, anxiety disorders involve excessive fear that can interfere with daily activities and may benefit from professional support.
Common symptoms include persistent worry, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension (especially in shoulders and neck), sleep disturbances, fatigue, irritability, and physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, or gastrointestinal issues.
Anxiety can result from multiple factors including genetics and family history, brain chemistry imbalances, chronic stress, traumatic experiences, certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, and substance use or withdrawal.
Consider seeing a psychiatrist if anxiety interferes with your daily life, relationships, or work performance. A psychiatrist can evaluate whether therapy, medication, nutraceuticals, or a combination approach may help.
Treatment often involves a combination of approaches including talk therapy, self-soothing skills and practices, and regular exercise. Some individuals may also benefit from medication or nutraceuticals as part of their treatment plan.
Many people experience significant improvement with appropriate treatment. While symptoms may fluctuate, early intervention often leads to better outcomes. Ongoing management with a combination of therapies typically provides the best long-term results.
Helpful home strategies include mindfulness practices, paced breathing exercises, regular physical activity, good sleep hygiene, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and connecting with support groups. These self-care practices can help manage symptoms alongside professional treatment.
Treatment typically combines insight-oriented psychotherapy with medication management when appropriate. Dr. Barnhart also incorporates lifestyle optimization including sleep hygiene, exercise, and nutritional supplements.
Yes. As a board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Barnhart can prescribe medication when clinically indicated. He takes a thoughtful approach, combining medication with therapy and lifestyle changes for best results.

Your Practitioner

J. Connor Barnhart

J. Connor Barnhart, MD

Dr. J. Connor Barnhart is a board-certified psychiatrist and psychotherapist practicing in San Francisco. He completed his psychiatry residency at UCSF, where he trained in the Bipolar, LGBT, and Women's Mental Health specialty clinics and developed focused expertise in integrative psychiatry through a year-long rotation at the UCSF Osher Center. He attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine and graduated from Brown University with honors in Human Biology. His practice combines insight-oriented therapy, medication management, supplements, and lifestyle optimization to holistically address the root causes of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, and difficulties with focus.

Sources & References

This article draws from 4 sources, including NIH, leading medical institutions.

Government & Research

Medical Institutions

Medically reviewed by J. Connor Barnhart, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-06-03