Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

While everyone has a bit of anxiety at times, those experiencing anxiety disorders know how important it is to seek treatment to decrease anxietyAnxiety is a typical stress reaction, and while mild levels of anxiety can be beneficial in certain situations, anxiety disorders are different from normal feelings of worry and involve excessive feelings of worry and fear.. Having an anxiety disorder can be debilitating and disrupt a person's daily routine. Anxiety is not something that can be turned on and off or willed away. Like any other health condition, anxiety disorders require treatment. Fortunately, there are several treatment options to explore, and the professionals at Southeastern Behavioral Healthcare are here to help.

Different Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), specific phobias, panic disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, selective mutism, and post-traumatic stress disorder. While these disorders all differ in their specific symptoms and triggers, each one involves excessive anxiety and worry that can interfere with a person's daily life. Let's take a more in-depth look at each type of disorder.

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - Excessive worry and anxiety about different things such as health, family, work, relationships, and common everyday situations, usually lasting for 6 months or more.
  • Specific Phobias - Intense and usually irrational fear of situations, or things, like insects, clowns, or needles.
  • Panic Disorder - Frequent, sudden, and unexpected waves of fear, discomfort, or a sense of losing control even when there is no clear danger or trigger.
  • Agoraphobia - Feelings of being trapped, helpless, or embarrassed, with an intense fear of situations where escaping may be hard, or help may not be available.
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder - Constant worry about losing an attachment figure or about something bad happening to them. SAD is developmentally inappropriate and causes significant impairment in one's daily functioning.
  • Social Anxiety Disorder - Also known as social phobia, this condition is characterized by strong fear and anxiety in social situations.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - A condition that develops after experiencing scary, dangerous, and severe situations, and often causes a fight-or-flight response to help a person avoid any potential additional danger.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

While each anxiety disorder has a different cause, the symptoms cause a person to worry excessively or be fearful. Some common symptoms include:

  • Feelings of uneasiness or panic
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Dry mouth
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Unable to stay calm and still
  • Cold, sweaty, or tingling hands or feet
  • Trouble Breathing
  • Feelings of dizziness or weakness
  • Excessive overthinking about a problem or situation.

How Treatment Can Lead to Lasting Relief

People living with anxiety disorders can find lasting relief through treatment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps tremendously by helping to identify and modify unhealthy behaviors and thought patterns, and by helping people to confront situations that they would have otherwise stayed away from. Other techniques like counseling, talk therapy, , exposure therapy, and medication can help individuals improve their quality of life, reduce feelings of fear and worry, and lead to more fulfilling lives. (Add something here about EMDR being a good treatment for severe anxiety and PTSD) It can also help improve relationships, increase self-esteem, and lead to greater productivity. Since treatment is

effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, ongoing management and support may be needed to prevent possible relapse or to address any new challenges that may arise.

Contact us at Southeastern Behavioral Healthcare to Learn More About the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

There's no reason why you have to let anxiety disrupt your life. At Southeastern Behavioral Healthcare, we are here to help. Contact us today for more information.