What Is an Anxiety Disorder and How Is It Treated?
Anxiety disorders are relatively common in the United States and exist on a spectrum from mild to severe. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “an estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder at some time in their lives.” NIMH defines anxiety disorders as any one of the following types:
- Panic Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (most common type)
- Agoraphobia (fear of particular spaces or situations that cause anxiety)
- Specific Phobias
- Social Anxiety
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
At Hope Harbor Wellness, our clinical staff can help you find a treatment plan to address your unique needs. We believe that individualized approaches encompassing several treatment techniques are best for a successful recovery. Although treatment can vary depending upon the type of anxiety and the person, anxiety disorders share many common characteristics.
While anxiety symptoms exist on a spectrum of mild, moderate, and severe, anxiety is characterized by experiencing some or most of these symptoms:
- An uncontrollable feeling of worry and apprehension
- Heightened feelings of irritability
- Being “on-edge,” excessively nervous, or even feelings of paranoia
- Difficulty concentrating (mainly due to excessive worry or dread about the future)
- Problems with falling asleep or staying asleep
- Exhaustion, lethargy, or feeling weak
- Increased anxiety or fear responses to everyday social situations
- Remaining constantly on alert and feeling in danger even in safe situations
- Unusual emotional and physical isolation
- Avoiding environments that remind you of the trauma
What Are The Characteristics of An Anxiety Disorder?
When a person experiences symptoms like these for several months, they may have an anxiety disorder. These symptoms can impair a person’s thinking, behavior, and ability to function in everyday life. Anxiety disorders tend to lead to a lot of avoidance behaviors, which can include drug, alcohol, or process addictions, such as gambling or sexual addictions.
Anxiety and Addiction: Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
Hope Harbor Wellness can help those who are suffering from a dual diagnosis of addiction caused by an underlying anxiety disorder. We believe that recovery from addiction is more than just going about getting “clean and sober.” To heal from addiction, a person needs to address the roots of their addiction to live their best life! We offer the following techniques and modalities to address the needs of those struggling with their anxiety disorder:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Learn to challenge the thought processes and false beliefs driving feelings of anxiety, doubt, and worry. CBT is especially great for those suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Similar to CBT, DBT can help you manage your emotions as you learn to challenge extreme viewpoints or “black-and-white” thinking.
Individual Therapy: Often referred to as “talk-therapy,” individual therapy connects you to a counselor for one-on-one sessions to learn new coping skills for managing anxiety.
Group Therapy: Building a community in recovery helps individuals heal from addictions and mental health issues. You can hear the stories of others, learn from them, and realize that you are not alone in your struggles!
Our expert clinical staff can help you learn to address the underlying roots of your addiction as you learn to cope with your anxiety! Hope Harbor Wellness is here to help you or a loved one build a treatment plan that addresses all aspects of your addiction. You can lead a fulfilling, healthy, and happy life without relying on substances!
Program Components
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy & Counseling
- Medical Services
- Medication Management
- Case Management Services
- Holistic Treatments
- Clinically Developed Curriculum
- Addiction and Mental Health Education
- Family Program
- Aftercare Development Planning
