Anxiety Disorder Treatment Program Options
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.
What Causes Anxiety Disorders?
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:
- Drug use
- Financial problems
- Panic disorder
- Relationship issues
- Physical conditions such as heart attack or heat stroke
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.
Is There a Cure for Anxiety?
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.
Therapies for Anxiety Disorders
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 Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
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 for Treating Anxiety Disorders
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.
Other Therapeutic Methods
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.
Residential Inpatient Anxiety Disorder Treatment Centers
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.
The Benefits of Residential Anxiety Treatments
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.
Luxury Anxiety Disorder Facilities
Not all anxiety disorder treatment facilities are created equal. While some have very basic amenities, others are quite luxurious. If you are used to having high-end amenities at your disposal, you won’t have to give them up in order to check into a treatment center. Some amenities at these luxury facilities include gourmet chefs, private rooms, access to private facilities for family counseling, spa treatments and more. Some facilities have both basic facilities and special rooms set aside for patients in their luxury programs. To find out which treatment facilities near you have luxury rooms, call .
Executive Anxiety Disorder Programs
The business world can be brutal, so anxiety often runs high among executives, particularly those from large companies. If an executive is in need of inpatient anxiety treatment, they can enroll in a special executive treatment center. There, they can receive treatment together with likeminded individuals who know how tough it is to be an executive in the stressful workplace environment. The program is often tailored to the specific stresses an executive faces, which may trigger their anxiety disorder.
Outpatient Anxiety Rehab and Treatment Programs
An outpatient program will include treatment options similar to those offered in an inpatient facility, except the patient will not stay overnight. As a rule, you will go to the treatment facility and meet with your doctors and other medical professionals early in the morning. You will go to your therapy appointments during the day and then return home in the afternoon or evening.
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
It is estimated that anxiety disorders cost a whopping $42 billion per year in healthcare expenses in the United States alone, with a significant portion of this money being used for therapy and drugs. Several drugs may be used individually or in combination with other drugs or therapies to help combat the symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
Antidepressants may be used if the patient has an anxiety disorder but also shows symptoms of depression. These medications can help the patient achieve an overall sense of well-being, which can also help alleviate some anxiety symptoms. Anti-anxiety drugs, which are also sometimes called anxiolytics, may also be prescribed. These work to help balance the neurotransmitters in the brain that may be off balance and that are usually responsible for triggering an anxiety episode.
Beta-blockers are another type of drug commonly used for the treatment of anxiety. Unlike antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, these work primarily on the physical symptoms that often accompany anxiety, such as headaches, chest pain or muscle pain. They are sometimes prescribed in conjunction with other drugs, so the patient can get help for both the mental and physical symptoms.
It’s important to note that none of these medications, taken either alone or in conjunction with one another, will cure an anxiety disorder. However, they can help you successfully control your anxiety and have a normal life when used in conjunction with therapy. If you believe someone you love suffers from an anxiety disorder, call to find out how to help.
How to Find the Best Anxiety Disorder Treatment Facility
No facility for anxiety treatment will be right for everyone. Some individuals require basic facilities, while others desire more luxurious settings. Some patients want to go to a center located near their homes, while others would prefer to travel further away in order to get the help they need. To ascertain which facility is best for you, it is good to sit down and evaluate your exact needs. Start by making a list of everything you may want and need in a treatment facility. For example, consider whether you have a food allergy or are following a special diet. Some facilities may not be able to provide a peanut-free or vegan menu for you, while others will be able to address these specific requirements.
Once you have made a list, you can simply call to find out which residential treatment center can cover all your needs. Talking about your anxiety disorder with someone else may not be easy, because of the very nature of this condition, but suffering in silence shouldn’t go on. Our friendly operators are here to help you put your fears aside and reach out for help. You’ll have all your questions answered, so you’ll know what to expect before you check into your chosen center, giving you the confidence needed to conquer your fears and get your anxiety under control.