With up to 40 million Americans suffering from anxiety, this disorder is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States. Anxiety makes it difficult for a person to socialize, hold down a job, engage in hobbies, stay healthy and enjoy everyday life. Fortunately, mental health professionals have a variety of treatments at their disposal, including therapy, anxiety medication and holistic wellness.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety refers to the body’s reaction to stressful situations and events. For most people, anxiety is a short-lived condition that resolves quickly when the situation changes, but for some, it can lead to anxiety disorders.

You might need anxiety treatment if you experience any of these symptoms for 2 weeks or more:

  • Excessive worrying
  • Panic attacks
  • Insomnia
  • Restlessness or fidgeting
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Unexplained body aches
  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Phobias or strange fears
  • Social isolation
  • Intrusive thoughts

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are several different types of anxiety disorders. Despite their differences, these disorders have a cornerstone in common: Individuals with anxiety disorders display signs of concern over future events and may try to avoid situations that trigger an emotional or physical response.

Common types of disorders include:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is the most common anxiety disorder. It causes excessive worry and fear that may interfere with daily life. Sometimes GAD makes individuals anticipate the worst outcome even when there’s no cause for concern. People with GAD may constantly worry about money, careers, family or work and wonder if the disorder is curable. This condition may cause individuals to miss out on opportunities, and they may have difficulty performing even simple daily tasks.
  • Panic disorder. Panic disorder frequently results in mild-to-severe panic attacks, sometimes for no reason. Panic attacks can cause nausea, headaches, trembling, rapid heartbeat and feelings of loss of control or dying. These attacks can be frightening, but they aren’t dangerous. They put the body into a normal fight-or-flight mode temporarily while the individual deals with anxiety.
  • Social anxiety disorder. Those with social anxiety disorder have a fear of being embarrassed in public situations and may avoid interactions with others. These individuals may have difficulty speaking in public or meeting new people.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by repetitive thoughts about certain situations and causes an individual to perform repetitive behaviors. For example, someone who’s afraid of their house being dirty may constantly clean.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD occurs after a person goes through a traumatic life event. In certain situations, the individual may experience flashbacks, have upsetting thoughts and feelings and show signs of emotional distress. With treatment, PTSD often resolves over time.

How Is Anxiety Treated?

Health care providers diagnose anxiety disorders by examining an individual’s medical history and performing a complete physical examination. Tests help rule out any underlying illness. The patient receives a referral to a mental health professional with experience diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. Treatment depends on the type of anxiety and the severity of the condition.

Anxiety Medication

Medication options include:

  • Antianxiety medications. Medications such as benzodiazepines may be used short-term to relieve symptoms of anxiety, panic and worry. These medications increase the production of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that provides a sedative effect. Common brand names include Xanax, Klonopin and Versed.
  • Antidepressants. Antidepressants are often prescribed long-term to help with anxiety disorders. These medications may take weeks to start working but can improve the user’s mood and reduce stress. Brand names include Cipralex, Prozac and Seroxat.
  • Beta-blockers. Beta-blockers are commonly used to treat high blood pressure but can also reduce symptoms of anxiety, including rapid heartbeat and trembling. They’re typically given for situational anxiety. For example, an individual may take a beta-blocker before public speaking to help calm their nerves and reduce the fight-or-flight response. Brands include Inderal, Toprol and Corgard.

Therapy

If medication isn’t enough, therapy is an essential part of an anxiety treatment program. Many therapists practice cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches patients to look at situations from a calm, objective perspective. This could prevent the anxiety spiral that makes it difficult for individuals to function.

Sometimes learning how to deal with anxiety means determining what triggered the disorder in the first place. The therapist might help the patient discuss trauma, such as a natural disaster, life-threatening situation or sudden death, that led to anxiety symptoms. Afterward, they give their patient the tools to move on from the past.

Group therapy is another treatment option that shows patients they’re not alone. The individual meets with the therapist and several other patients to discuss their situations, talk about lifestyle changes and give each other support. For some, group therapy is the start of lifelong friendships.

Holistic Wellness

Holistic treatment can be useful in helping an individual deal with anxiety and stress. Natural treatment methods are safe and effective when combined with medications and therapy.

A therapist might recommend some or all of these techniques:

  • Exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, which reduce tension, decrease anxiety and elevate positive moods. Even a 10-minute walk each day is enough to reduce the chances of depression and anxiety. Exercises such as yoga can help calm the nerves while improving health.
  • Meditation. Mindfulness meditation can relieve stress and make it easier to deal with intrusive thoughts and feelings. Meditation can also help improve the quality of sleep and reduce irritability.
  • Acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice of inserting fine needles into the body to treat many health conditions, and it can be used to help relieve stress and anxiety. Inserting these fine needles into acupuncture points stimulates the central nervous system, which releases natural chemicals in the body to promote healing.

Lifestyle Changes

Practicing self-care is one of the best ways to help deal with anxiety. While most individuals who struggle with an anxiety disorder require medical care, these coping strategies and lifestyle changes can help:

  • Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs.
  • Limit consumption of caffeine and soft drinks.
  • Get enough sleep each night.
  • Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fish.
  • Keep a journal.
  • Stay in touch with family and friends.
  • Learn what triggers an anxiety episode.
  • Stick to the treatment plan.

Seek Anxiety Treatment in Florida

At Sunlight Recovery, we provide multiple treatment options for anxiety disorders. If you or someone you love requires assistance with anxiety, we have a fully licensed team of medical professionals to help. For more information on our programs, contact us anytime. We can answer any questions you might have about anxiety treatment in Florida and get you started on the path to better health.