What makes
Anxiety disorders different
Everyone knows what it is like to feel anxious or overstressed, whether that’s at work, among a crowd of people, at family gatherings, or during social situations. Anxiety is a normal cognitive and physiological response designed to call attention to the seriousness of a situation and motivate us to action. At the normal level, anxiety rouses people to action. It may cause us to work harder or prepare us for a possibly dangerous situation.
With an anxiety disorder, however, the anxiety is not brief, as described above. It is severe and ongoing, even chronic. Panic attacks are a very common characteristic of many anxiety disorders.
Effective Treatment
For Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders and depression are treatable. Many people experience meaningful symptom relief and improvement in their quality of life with professional care. Some people respond to treatment after just a few weeks or months while others may take longer.
If a person has more than one anxiety disorder, or if they suffer from other co-occurring conditions, such as alcoholism or substance use disorder, treatment can take longer.
The most effective treatment will call on an experienced medical provider to conduct a comprehensive assessment before discussing a treatment plan to meet the patient’s needs.
Although there are many forms of treatment, several approaches have proven to be effective in addressing anxiety disorders. These approaches include:
- Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Medication
- Residential Treatment
- Complementary and Alternative Treatment
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety itself is not a recognized mental health disorder. The word “anxiety” is an umbrella term for a bunch of different, anxiety-based mental health disorders. These mental health disorders include:
Separation Anxiety Disorder. Separation anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear or anxiety regarding separation from home or people to whom the individual is attached, like a mother or a father. This anxiety or fear is persistent, lasting at least four weeks in children and adolescents and six months or more in adults.
Selective Mutism. Selective mutism is characterized by the inability to speak in certain social settings and to certain people. This inability can last for months or even years if left untreated. Children with selective mutism might talk normally at home or when alone with their parents, but either speak just above a whisper or not at all in social settings. The disorder is often marked by high social anxiety.
Phobias. A phobia is an extreme and irrational fear of, or anxiety about, a specific object or situation. There are many phobias that focus on animals, insects, germs, heights, thunder, clowns, driving, public transportation, flying, dental or medical procedures, and elevators.
Social Anxiety Disorder. Social anxiety disorder is characterized by the marked fear of, or anxiety about, social situations where the individual is exposed to scrutiny or judgment from others. The fear or anxiety causes clinically significant distress. The disorder can last for six months or more.
Panic Disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by panic attacks that strike suddenly and without warning. People with a panic disorder often develop intense anxiety between episodes, worrying about when and where the next panic attack will strike. To compensate for their anxiety, people with panic disorder often avoid places and situations in which they have experienced an attack. Some people’s lives become restricted to the point that they avoid everyday activities for fear of another panic attack.
Agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is characterized by the avoidance of places or situations in which it is thought there is no escape.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry, even though there is little or no reason for it. In GAD, anxiety is severe enough to affect the individual’s ability to function in daily life. People with GAD often recognize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants but have difficulty controlling their feelings. This anxiety is usually accompanied by symptoms like fatigue, sleeplessness, headache, muscle tension, sweating, shortness of breath, and irritability.
TREATMENT FOR ANXIETY IN PANAMA CITY BEACH
JourneyPure Emerald Coast is an addiction treatment provider has helped many people in the Panama City Beach area addicted to prescription drugs overcome their prescription drug addiction and any co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety disorders. We have the staff and resources to give you or your loved one the best shot at long-term recovery.
At our anxiety treatment program in Panama City Beach, FL we take a comprehensive and holistic approach, including medical intervention and cognitive behavioral therapy as well as holistic services like experiential therapies. This approach has successfully helped prescription drug abusers go on to live happy and productive lives.
