Getting Help for Anxiety
A Residential Treatment Program Can Help You Cope With Anxiety Disorders
If you struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, or Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), you know that these feelings can have a negative impact on your daily life. Anxiety can often be disabling, overwhelming a person and keeping them from doing the things the once truly enjoyed.
Some people who suffer from an anxiety disorder other have other issues, such as an eating disorder or a history of trauma that still affects them to this day. These can take a toll and can make life’s stressful events really unbearable.
Why is a residential treatment program a good fit for people with anxiety disorders? For one thing, it gives an individual a “pause” from stressful environments and allows them to focus on themselves. People who suffer from anxiety disorders can then become a part of a supportive community of peers as well as a team of trained professionals. Together, you’ll begin to learn new coping skills and identify the triggers in time to take proactive action.
About GAD and Other Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety, or “the fight or flight response” is a powerful emotion that can isolate a person from daily life. A constant state of anxiety can cause you to avoid your friends and family members. It may make you avoid going on outings or events, even holidays, just to avoid your anxiety from being triggered.
Anxiety can make a person feel very alone, degrade your quality of life, and lead to other mental health symptoms, such as depression or agoraphobia.1 When anxiety becomes disabling, it can keep you from work or school responsibilities. So many aspects of your life can suffer.
If you’re experiencing this type of anxiety, you may have trouble concentrating on tasks or remembering certain things. You may try to use alcohol or drugs to ease your symptoms, and may even suffer from other mental health issues, as well, such as depression or agoraphobia.
Inpatient Treatment is Recommended for GAD
People who have anxiety disorders can really suffer from the chronic sense of uneasiness. After a while, this anxiety becomes painful and difficult to deal with. Many mental health experts agree that inpatient treatment is a very effective way for people with these disorders to learn to understand and cope with their challenges in a safe, supportive environment. With the help of a team of trained mental health professionals, you can get the support you need to face your own individual challenges.
Together with your counselors and therapists, you will set goals for your treatment plan and identify challenges and setbacks. Through group and individual therapy, you’ll learn new coping skills and insights to your behaviors and triggers.
Holistic Treatment of the Entire Person
The best approach to treating people with anxiety disorders2 is to focus on helping you, as a whole person, work toward wellness with awareness of the challenges you will face. Recently it has been shown most effective to apply a holistic approach to wellness which will help you strive to achieve balance and peace in your body, mind, and spirit. Some of the therapeutic processes and activities might come as a surprise, such as: meditation or guided relaxation, art therapy, experiential outings, and even yoga. Through traditional therapeutic process and these enhanced activities, you will get stronger in your recovery as your foundation is built.
What to Expect
Prior to admitting to the treatment center you choose, they will likely perform a routine medical screening and ask for a medical (including psychiatric) history. They will want to rule out any physical causes or medical problems that may be related to your anxiety disorder and understand your experience. Because many people who suffer from anxiety also have co-occurring disorders, such as depression or substance abuse issues, it behooves the provider to do a thorough mental health screening to understand what treatment processes will be the most helpful.
Therapy or Counseling Sessions
Almost all treatment centers will provide
- group therapy sessions
- individual therapy sessions
- family therapy sessions
which will help you get the support you need and learn more about your disorder and how it affects your life as well as others. Your “one on one” counseling sessions in particular will help you work towards better coping skills and healthier behaviors that you can use in your everyday life. Group therapy is very helpful because it provides moral support and will also keep you accountable in your recovery to the others in the group.
Treatment doesn’t end when you’re discharged. Ask questions of your possible treatment destination to ensure that your transition is planned very carefully when you leave to help achieve the best outcome. When it’s time to plan your aftercare, it is great to have appointments set and commitments made for the transition back to your life at home. This often means continuing therapy through an outpatient or day program or joining support groups.
How to Get Help for Anxiety and GED
If you’re tired of the way your anxiety is affecting your life, and you want to learn a new way of living, you’re in the right place. Many people with anxiety disorders are able to get out of it’s debilitating grasp and reclaim their lives through the help of therapeutic process which teach them new coping patterns.
Caring professionals will work with you to help you begin the path to recovery that’s right for your specific diagnosis and needs We’ll also address any other mental health issues you may be struggling with. We know that you can chart a path to wellness. We know that reaching out for help with your anxiety disorder can be scary or difficult. We want you to know you’re not alone, and we want to help you get started.
Just pick up the phone to learn more about your options. All calls are 100% confidential, and we’re happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
