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Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in America today, with over 40 million adults (19.1% of the population) suffering from anxiety in some form. Fortunately, rehab for anxiety is available and offers an array of highly effective treatments.
From panic disorder (PD) to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), these disorders can be alleviated with the right treatment plan. Keep reading to discover how anxiety affects day-to-day living and relationships and what treatments are available at residential anxiety treatment centers.
Regular Anxiety vs. Anxiety Disorders
We all get anxious sometimes. Stress is a normal part of life that can come and go depending on where life takes us. From an upcoming job interview to getting stuck in a traffic jam, anxiety and stress are completely normal and natural in everyday challenging situations. It’s when anxiety starts to get out of control that support from an anxiety therapy program may be required.
Anxiety disorders are much more severe than regular anxiety. These disorders are characterized by intense worry and fear that can last for months or years without any sign of abatement. In these cases, it’s advisable to seek professional help — at the very least, so an official diagnosis can be made. If an anxiety disorder is diagnosed, it’s essential that any subsequent treatment is tailored to the individual and delivered with the highest level of care.
Rehab for Anxiety — What Treatments Are Available?
Anxiety can prevent you from living your life to the fullest. You may feel disconnected from your experiences and isolated from the people you love. The ongoing cycle that anxiety disorders cause can be exhausting, and you might feel there’s no end in sight. Fortunately, there are many anxiety rehab treatments that can bring peace and stability to your life once more.
Counseling
Sharing your worries and anxious thoughts with a trained, experienced counselor can be highly effective at loosening the hold your anxiety disorder has on your life. A psychiatric counselor can share coping mechanisms and skills that help you manage daily symptoms and triggers.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Learning what triggers cause your anxiety and how to avoid or manage them is a big part of cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy and especially effective in treating anxiety disorders. The aim of CBT is to put a stop to negative cycles and anxious thought patterns by giving you the skills to manage these situations.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that can help people with anxiety disorders cope with and manage their symptoms. Put simply, exposure therapy involves facing your fears in a safe and nonthreatening environment with the help of a qualified mental health professional.
Integrated Medical Care
Rehab for anxiety can also include a full medical workup and integrated medical care. This is an important part of treating an anxiety disorder, as it can help uncover any undiagnosed ailments that might be causing the disorder. For example, hyperthyroidism or certain heart problems can trigger feelings of anxiety.
Medication
You may also be prescribed medication as part of your anxiety rehab, especially if your symptoms make everyday living difficult. Antianxiety medication is often effective in alleviating the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder alongside other therapies. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines may also be prescribed. Antianxiety medication is usually prescribed on an as-needed basis or for the short term.
Natural Complementary Therapies
In addition to psychiatric and medical therapies, many natural complementary therapies can be used to treat anxiety disorders. Meditation and yoga, for example, help reduce stress levels and allow greater control of the mind and body. Breathing exercises can help those with panic disorders to get their breathing under control during a panic attack.
What Does Treatment at an Anxiety Rehab Center Look Like?
It’s reassuring to know anxiety disorders are treatable. Many people experience meaningful improvements in their lives with professional care as a result of anxiety rehab. At an anxiety rehab center, these treatments can be tailored to your exact needs and administered in a controlled and dedicated setting.
A day in the life of an inpatient will look very different for different people. However, one aspect of anxiety rehab is the same for all patients: structure. During your stay at an anxiety rehab center, you’ll be assigned your own personal treatment plan and daily rehab schedule. Your daily schedule may include one, some or all of the treatments and therapies below:
- Medical appointments
- Blood work
- Vitamin infusions
- Therapies
- Specialty therapies
- Neuro therapy
- Acupuncture, massage and breath work
Following the completion of your inpatient program, you may wish to continue your treatment with an intensive outpatient program or partial hospitalization program. These programs allow you to receive intensive, structured treatment services off-campus.
Is an Anxiety Rehab Center the Right Choice For You?
If anxiety affects your occupational and social functioning, an anxiety treatment program could help you regain control. You might want to consider treatment in an inpatient setting if:
- Constant anxiety is affecting your work, family and social life.
- You have no control over feelings of anxiousness.
- You’re experiencing physical health problems as a result of constant anxiety.
- You turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with anxiety.
- You feel you’ve exhausted outpatient treatment options.
Relief From Anxiety Is Around the Corner
At FHE Health, we understand how anxiety can have a daily impact on your health, work and relationships. We also know it’s possible to take back control and live a peaceful and fulfilling life again with the right treatment plan.
If anxiety has taken over and you’re not sure where to turn, rehab for anxiety could be the right choice for you. Contact us at FHE today to find out more about our anxiety program and how a life without anxious thoughts and feelings could be just around the corner for you.
