Anxiety is a normal reaction to various stress factors, helping an individual cope with dangerous or demanding situations; however, when this reaction gets out of control, it may turn into an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder is a condition that causes the sufferer to experience uneasiness at things that usually seem ordinary to other people but can negatively affect an individual’s ability to function normally in everyday situations. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), yearly, about 40 million Americans ages 18 or older suffer from various anxiety disorders, which is roughly 18 percent of the US adult population. If you suspect that you or someone you know may have an anxiety problem, call to find out how you can get treatment.
Anxiety disorder can be linked to a person’s neurotransmitters being out of balance. This neurological state is usually accompanied by a general worsening of the person’s sense of well-being. The condition may also impede upon the sufferer’s ability to relax, exacerbating the symptoms of anxiety. Although anxiety disorder cannot be traced back to a single cause, several physical and mental conditions can be linked to it. An anxiety disorder could be the result of one or more of the following factors:
Sometimes, an anxiety problem could be a symptom of a broader medical condition. For example, someone with emphysema may go through periods where they suffer from a lack of oxygen. The body responds to this lack of oxygen with panic, which could ultimately lead to a full-blown anxiety disorder.
No actual cure for anxiety exists, but a study of university students showed that preventive measures could help avert depression and anxiety disorders in students who are at risk for these two conditions. A control group was put on a cognitive behavioral therapy program, while another group underwent no therapy. Both groups had their progress followed for a full three years. At the end of the experiment, the first group showed significantly fewer anxiety symptoms than the second group.
Abnormal anxiety affects a significant portion of the population, but the good news is that many treatments are available to help. Depending on the specific cause of the anxiety disorder as well as on the patient’s preferences, the treatment method may include behavioral therapy, physical therapy, counseling and medications. As a rule, the treatment is aimed at reducing the symptoms related to anxiety and assisting patients in getting back to normal life.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, one in eight children is affected by an anxiety disorder. Your child doesn’t need to suffer alone anymore. If you think your son or daughter has an anxiety disorder, find out more about treatment options by calling .
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common therapies available for those who suffer from anxiety disorders. During CBT, the patient learns about what exactly triggers anxiety and how to avoid or respond to those triggers. Emphasis is put on how a patient thinks about anxiety and how to avoid or cope with anxiety-triggering situations through various behavior-modifying techniques. Statistics indicate that it is a highly effective therapy, with some patients seeing results in as little as 12 to 16 weeks.
Exposure therapy involves a controlled environment in which patients are gradually exposed to situations that would normally cause anxiety in them. The purpose is to slowly desensitize them to those triggering situations until those triggers become manageable, or completely eliminated. As a result, the patient has less panic or fewer anxiety attacks over time.
Though CBT and exposure therapy are fairly common, other methods of treatment aimed at lessening the symptoms of anxiety are also available. In some cases, a doctor may use more than one type of therapy, which may also depend on the patient’s age.
Relaxation techniques are often used to treat anxiety disorder. These may include such methods as breathing techniques and acupuncture. They can alleviate or even eliminate the symptoms by either controlling the anxiety or stopping it before it happens.
Though some patients with an anxiety disorder seek outpatient treatment, while others prefer to get treated in an inpatient center. Treatment in a residential center has many advantages, including a stable environment in which patients can fully focus on their recovery without any distractions from the outside world getting in their way. The emotional stability and safety that an inpatient treatment center provides can be crucial to the success of the overall treatment.
A residential treatment center can provide a patient with multiple therapy types all in one place, instead of forcing the patient to seek treatment in a variety of places. For example, patients can receive CBT, psychotherapy and exposure treatment all in the same treatment facility. This makes receiving all their treatments faster and easier than receiving them on an outpatient basis.
Patients who go to a center for treatment may also get other benefits. In a residential center, a dietitian can help you become healthier physically if your anxiety disorder is accompanied by physical symptoms such stomach problems. You may also get to meet others who have the same emotional concerns as you, and these people can provide advice and friendship. Many facilities also provide recreational activities that you may find enjoyable. When treatment is over, many facilities provide a plan to help you transition from inpatient to outpatient treatment, which may help you avoid anxiety over leaving the facility.