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Anxiety Treatment in Oakland Park, FL
Anxiety is part of everyday life. People may feel anxious in many situations throughout the day. In most cases, people can manage typical anxiety by using coping skills.
However, some people live with anxiety disorders. An anxiety disorder is a mental health condition. People with anxiety disorders may have dread, fear, or extreme worry about specific situations or things.
People with anxiety disorders may experience physical symptoms associated with anxiety. They may have a racing or pounding heart, sweating, or digestive troubles. Some may experience intense fear or panic attacks without a clear cause.
Treatment can help people manage the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. Medications, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes can help improve the quality of life. These therapies can improve the functioning of those with an anxiety disorder.
This article will explore anxiety and how to treat it. You will learn:
- How to identify the symptoms of anxiety
- How medical and mental health professionals treat anxiety
- Where to find treatment for anxiety
If you or someone you love need the support of an anxiety treatment program, you are not alone. Contact the caring mental health professionals at Agape Behavioral Healthcare to learn about our holistic treatment programs. We are also happy to answer your questions or schedule an intake appointment.
Anxiety Disorders: An Overview
Anxiety disorders are different from everyday anxiety. These conditions cause disruptive, distressing symptoms that can keep people from functioning or feeling well.
The symptoms of an anxiety disorder can impact a person’s life in many ways, including:
- Making it difficult to manage daily responsibilities
- Causing people to have overwhelming responses to triggers
- Making it difficult to control reactions in certain situations
Over 40 million adults in the U.S. have an anxiety disorder.
There are several types of anxiety disorders. Here is an overview of several of the most common forms of anxiety disorder.
Phobias
People with phobias may have intense fear or anxiety in response to a specific stimulus. For example, someone with a phobia of snakes may feel intense fear or dread if they see a snake. Someone with a phobia of flying may feel intensely anxious during air travel.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
People with GAD may have chronic anxiety without a clear or specific cause. People may worry about everyday situations or feel easily overwhelmed.
Panic disorder
People with panic disorder may experience panic attacks. During a panic attack, people may have intense feelings of fear or dread. They may also experience physical symptoms, including:
- Racing heart
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Tingling in the limbs
- Tightness in the chest
- A choking feeling
A panic attack can be very alarming, but it is typically not dangerous. Therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes can help to reduce panic attacks.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Anxiety
According to the World Health Organization, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the world. Many people with anxiety disorders begin experiencing symptoms as a child or adolescent. Treatments for generalized anxiety disorder and other conditions are highly effective.
Anxiety can cause emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms.
Emotional symptoms of anxiety
Common emotional anxiety symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Tension
- Nervousness
- Restlessness or agitation
- Dread
- Worrying about the worst-case-scenario
- Isolation
- Detachment
Physical symptoms of anxiety
Common physical anxiety symptoms include:
- Muscle tension
- Tingling or numbness in the extremities
- Teeth-grinding
- Fast or irregular heart rate
- Tightness in the chest
- Faster breathing
- Nausea
- Stomach discomfort
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
Behavioral symptoms of anxiety
People with anxiety may have behavioral symptoms, including:
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Compulsive behaviors, such as excessive hand-washing or counting
- Restlessness
- Not being able to sit still or relax
- Being unable to focus or complete a task
Anxiety’s symptoms can be very disruptive to your daily life. Fortunately, there are many effective ways to treat anxiety disorders, including medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Treating Anxiety: An Overview
People with anxiety disorders can take steps to manage their symptoms. People may see mental health professionals or work with their primary care providers to develop effective treatment plans.
Here is an overview of the methods used to treat anxiety.
Medications
People may take prescription anti-anxiety medications to reduce their symptoms. Common medications for anxiety include:
- Beta-blockers
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
Some anti-anxiety drugs can cause unwanted side effects. People must work with their medical providers to find a drug that works best for their symptoms.
Therapy
People with anxiety may benefit from engaging in talk therapy. Common forms of treatment for anxiety include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Exposure therapy
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
These and other forms of therapy focus on helping people identify and change thoughts. They can help people develop healthier coping strategies and manage symptoms.
People may also benefit from participating in support groups that focus on healing from mental illness.
People with anxiety disorders may sometimes require an inpatient level of care to stabilize or find effective medications and therapies.
Find an Anxiety Treatment Program in Florida
If you or someone in your life struggles with anxiety, you are not alone. Effective, compassionate treatment is available at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. Reach out today to learn about our holistic anxiety treatment and support programs in Oakland Park.
References:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Anxiety Disorders
- American Psychiatric Association: What are Anxiety Disorders?
- National Institute of Health: The Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders