Hardworking people carry a lot
In the Catawba Valley, people take pride in hard work. Generations built furniture, wired the world at CommScope and Corning, and kept hospitals like Catawba Valley Medical Center and Frye running. That pride is a strength. But it can also mean folks keep their worries to themselves until their bodies start sounding the alarm.
Maybe your chest gets tight on the drive to work. Maybe you lie awake worrying about layoffs, bills, or your kids. Maybe panic hits out of nowhere at Valley Hills Mall. These are not signs of weakness. They are signs of anxiety, a common condition that can be treated.
Signs to watch for
- Worry that sticks around most days for months
- Feeling keyed up, restless, or easily startled
- Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
- Headaches, a sour stomach, or a racing pulse
- Avoiding people, places, or tasks because of fear
- Spells of intense fear that peak within minutes
Why local care matters
For years, many people in Catawba County had to drive to Charlotte or Winston-Salem to see a psychiatric provider. That drive alone was enough to make some people give up. Having care close to home in Hickory means fewer missed appointments and easier follow-up. It also means your provider understands the area, the jobs, and the pressures you face.
We also know that in a small community, privacy matters. Your visits are confidential. Many patients from Viewmont, Northlakes, Longview, and St. Stephens tell us that worry about being seen kept them from getting help for years. You do not have to tell anyone you are coming.
What happens at your visit
Your provider will ask how long you have felt this way, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your work and family. We use brief questionnaires such as the GAD-7 to measure symptoms. We also ask about caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and any medicines or supplements, since several of these can worsen anxiety. We check whether a medical problem, like an overactive thyroid, could be part of the picture. If needed, we will start with a complete psychiatric evaluation.
Medicine that makes a difference
For most adults, the first medicine is a daily SSRI such as sertraline or escitalopram, or an SNRI such as venlafaxine XR. These are not addictive and are taken once a day. They usually work gradually: a little relief in the first several weeks and fuller relief over a couple of months. Buspirone is another daily option. Short-term options like hydroxyzine can help on rough days. We keep habit-forming sedatives to a minimum because the risks often outweigh the benefits.
If you work in manufacturing or drive for a living, tell us. We will choose a medicine and timing that will not leave you drowsy on the job.
Understanding OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is not about being neat. It involves intrusive thoughts that cause distress and repeated behaviors meant to ease that distress. Someone might check the door locks over and over, fear contamination after shaking hands, or have upsetting thoughts they cannot push away. OCD often shows up with anxiety. It is treatable, most often with SSRIs at higher doses, and improvement usually builds over two to three months.
When the first choice did not fit
If you have tried medicines that caused side effects or did not help, GeneSight testing can give your provider information about how your genes may affect certain medicines.
Supporting your family
Anxiety affects the whole household. Spouses may feel shut out, and kids may pick up on the tension. We see teens 15 and older, and family members are welcome to join a visit with your permission.
Money worry and the changing job market
The Valley's economy has changed a lot over the years, from furniture and textiles to fiber optics, distribution, and healthcare. Each shift brought new jobs and also new uncertainty. Worry about layoffs, overtime, and keeping up with bills is common, and it can grow into an anxiety disorder that follows you home every night. Your provider cannot fix the economy, but treating the anxiety can help you think clearly, sleep better, and make decisions without panic driving the wheel.
Simple habits that help
Cutting back on energy drinks and soda, keeping a regular bedtime, and taking a walk around Lake Hickory or downtown can all take the edge off. These are helpers, not cures. If worry keeps winning even when you do everything right, that is your cue to get medical care.
Close to home in Hickory
Our office is at 520 8th St NE. If you ever feel like you might hurt yourself, call or text 988 or dial 911. You do not need a referral. Become a patient today.
Why Choose Catawba Valley Psychiatry and Mental Health?
- Providers across Hickory and the Catawba Valley who actually listen and take their time
- Now accepting new patients because waiting makes everything harder
- We accept most major insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare — and work with you on costs
- A practice that treats you like a person, not a number