Experiencing some form of anxiety is normal for anyone, especially during times of uncertainty with the worldwide onslaught of Covid19 and the stresses that come with it. However, people with anxiety disorders have a tendency to have a more heightened, more intense experience which often manifests into physical symptoms, making it difficult for them to function in normal situations. This is why we at Trauma and Beyond ® offer an anxiety treatment program that takes on a more holistic approach to healing and recovery.
What is Anxiety Disorder and How Do I Know If I Have It?
The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as an emotion characterized by tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. These feelings of panic and anxiety are often difficult to control and can have negative effects on one’s quality of life, making it difficult to deal with everyday life and can affect relationships and social interactions.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following are the signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder:
- Feeling nervous, restless or tense
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
- Having an increased heart rate
- Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
- Having trouble sleeping
- Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
- Having difficulty controlling worry
- Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
Below is a list of the types anxiety disorders:
Agoraphobia (ag-uh-ruh-FOE-be-uh) is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and often avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed.
Anxiety disorder due to a medical condition includes symptoms of intense anxiety or panic that are directly caused by a physical health problem.
Generalized anxiety disorder includes persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about activities or events — even ordinary, routine issues. The worry is out of proportion to the actual circumstance, is difficult to control and affects how you feel physically. It often occurs along with other anxiety disorders or depression.
Panic disorder involves repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). You may have feelings of impending doom, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a rapid, fluttering or pounding heart (heart palpitations). These panic attacks may lead to worrying about them happening again or avoiding situations in which they’ve occurred.
Selective mutism is a consistent failure of children to speak in certain situations, such as school, even when they can speak in other situations, such as at home with close family members. This can interfere with school, work and social functioning.
Separation anxiety disorder is a childhood disorder characterized by anxiety that’s excessive for the child’s developmental level and related to separation from parents or others who have parental roles.
Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) involves high levels of anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations due to feelings of embarrassment, self-consciousness and concern about being judged or viewed negatively by others.
Specific phobias are characterized by major anxiety when you’re exposed to a specific object or situation and a desire to avoid it. Phobias provoke panic attacks in some people.
Substance-induced anxiety disorder is characterized by symptoms of intense anxiety or panic that are a direct result of misusing drugs, taking medications, being exposed to a toxic substance or withdrawal from drugs.
Other specified anxiety disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder are terms for anxiety or phobias that don’t meet the exact criteria for any other anxiety disorders but are significant enough to be distressing and disruptive.
Anxiety Treatment and Anxiety Disorders: A Holistic Approach
We at Trauma and Beyond Center ® don’t just rely on talk therapy for our patients. The physical, psychological, and emotional states of each patient are parts of a whole that need individual treatment. The goal of our anxiety treatment program is to reach a long-term solution that will help individuals achieve the ability to self-regulate and self-sooth, thereby regaining the ability to take control of their emotions.
We offer a myriad of treatment programs that will help you train your body, mind, and spirit to relax and guide yourself back to a calm and mindful state. Our therapists can guide you through the process and help you choose the best treatment plan for you. At this time while many of us are apprehensive about stepping outside of the safety of our homes, we are offering teletherapy programming for all levels of treatment, PHP, IOP, OP. You can work with our trauma informed therapists in an integrative approach to help with your anxiety. Our groups provide a valuable opportunity to connect with others who are going through similar stresses and tensions.
If you feel that you need help managing your anxiety, call us and one of our team will be happy to speak to you about our anxiety therapy program and all of our treatment programs for anxiety, trauma, and other mental health issues. Call us at 818-651-0725.
