Anxiety and stress impact countless adults in the United States on an everyday basis. But when the worries become too much to manage, it can leave you wondering how to get help for anxiety. And the good news is that with the right resources, you can learn to reduce stress and manage the symptoms of anxiety in order to live a happier, healthier life.
This is why we’ve created this guide on how to get help for anxiety below. Read on to learn everything you need to know about anxiety disorders, the symptoms of anxiety, and where you can find treatment today.
What to Know About Anxiety Disorders
Though many people want to know how to get help for anxiety right away, the first step in this process is understanding what anxiety is in the first place. Put generally, anxiety is a feeling that is usually accompanied by worry, intrusive thoughts, and discomfort. Everyone feels anxiety sometimes about a wide variety of things like giving a presentation, going on a date, trying something new, etc.
While these feelings of anxiety might be normal to have every so often, for those with an anxiety disorder, the worries are constant and unrelenting. Another characteristic of anxiety disorders is experiencing worries about seemingly harmless things, such as meeting new people or even leaving the house. The type of anxiety disorder one has greatly influences how the anxiety presents.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are five main types of anxiety disorders. These include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Social anxiety disorder
Knowing how to get help for anxiety looks different depending on the type of anxiety disorder one has. This is one of the reasons why treatment facilities for anxiety complete an assessment upon the initial intake. It’s vital to get the right type of treatment based on the specific anxiety symptoms one experiences.
How to Get Help for Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety symptoms vary depending on the severity of one’s condition as well as the type of anxiety disorder they have. Generally speaking, anxiety causes:
- Persistent worrying
- “What if” thoughts (e.g., “what if something bad happens?”)
- Feelings of unease
- Panic
- A need for reassurance
People frequently experience this emotional discomfort in addition to physical symptoms when they have an anxiety disorder. Common physical symptoms include:
- Racing heart
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing
Of course, the combination of the emotional component that comes with these physical symptoms is usually what drives people to look up how to get help for anxiety. The physical, emotional, and mental toll that untreated anxiety has on people can be extremely detrimental to their overall health. Specifically, it can cause weight fluctuation, troubles sleeping, and a lowered immune response.
Furthermore, anxiety can prevent people from completely daily responsibilities. Things like working, cleaning, and eating can feel like monumental tasks to overcome when anxiety is involved.
When the feelings of anxiety become so intense that one is unable to work, socialize, or do things that they enjoy, it can lead to other mental health conditions. For example, research indicates that approximately 60 percent of people who have anxiety also struggle with depression. On top of this, people who have anxiety are at a higher risk for developing a substance use disorder.
Alcohol and drug use can be symptoms of anxiety as well as an indication that there is a larger issue at hand. Sometimes, people turn to these addictive substances to find relief from the constant worrying. However, drugs and alcohol actually make anxiety and other mental health disorders worse. Using these substances can lead to more anxiety, deeper bouts of depression, and other serious mental health conditions like psychosis.
This is why it’s so important to know how to get help for anxiety through professional inpatient treatment. Working with mental health professionals in a safe, supportive environment for anxiety and any co-occurring disorders is essential in finding true relief from these symptoms.
Treatment Options for Anxiety
Working with mental health professionals is the best answer on how to get help for anxiety. For those who are constantly troubled by the symptoms of anxiety, inpatient treatment offers a safe environment that can help reduce stress and give patients time to heal.
Throughout inpatient treatment, patients have the opportunity to find recovery from the trials of anxiety with numerous services, such as:
- Medication evaluation and management
- One-on-one counseling
- Group therapy
- Family sessions
- Recreational therapy
- Neuro-psychology treatment
- Wellness education
One of the biggest goals when treating anxiety disorders is to learn how to reduce stress. Of course, it’s impossible to eliminate all sources of stress. There will always be certain things in life that can trigger anxiety symptoms. This is why it’s important to have the right tools to tackle moments of anxiety before they spiral out of control.
The things that a person learns in their inpatient program are skills that they can take with them well after their time in treatment. Not only can this help them to manage their anxiety but it can also help them to stay sober, eat well, and maintain wellness.
How To Get Help for Anxiety Today
After reviewing the symptoms of anxiety and all the opportunities that treatment can bring, you might still be wondering how to get help for anxiety starting now. Fortunately, treatment is available at The Willough at Naples.
Here, your treatment plan will be uniquely created to help you better your mental health in all aspects, including reducing anxiety. Our anxiety treatment center also offers crisis services, on-site psychological evaluations, and cognitive screenings for people who are in need of immediate assistance.
If anxiety has put your life on pause, reach out to our admissions experts at (239) 688-3063. You also have the option to submit a confidential contact form with your questions. We are available 24/7 to assist you with all of your worries and to guide you toward a more manageable, stress-free way of living.