Anxiety

Nearly everyone will experience anxiety at some point in their lives. But for some people, feelings of extreme worry or fear can cause serious physical and emotional symptoms.

Anxiety is a complicated medical condition and the most common mental illness in the United States. Yet only about a third of people get the anxiety help they need.*

If anxiety is preventing you from enjoying everyday activities, it may be time to find help.

What Is an Anxiety Disorder?

While there are several types of anxiety disorders, they all include excessive worrying, especially in situations that are not threatening. Some anxiety conditions include:

• General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – a disorder characterized by persistent and extreme worry and anxiety about different things (such as health, money, family, or work), which causes significant distress or impairment.

• Panic Attack – a sudden or abrupt surge of intense fear, sometimes including a fear of losing control, that is accompanied by physical symptoms such as accelerated heart rate, sweating, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

• Panic Disorder – occurs when you have recurring and unexpected panic attacks, so that you continuously worry about having another attack; you may also change your behavior to avoid situations that you associate with panic attacks.

• Social Anxiety Disorder – characterized by a severe fear of social situations, like meeting new people or eating in public, so much so that you avoid those situations and may experience panic attacks when social situations can’t be avoided.

• Phobia – a fear of an object or situation that becomes a significant problem because it prevents you from participating in routine activities, causing distress or impairment.

Any of these disorders may disrupt your life, and people who struggle with anxiety sometimes also experience depression or other mental illness. The most important thing to know about anxiety disorders is that they are treatable.

What Does Anxiety Treatment Look Like?

Treatment for anxiety often includes a combination of medication and talk therapy.

A type of therapy that’s been shown to be effective for treating anxiety is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which can help you identify inaccurate or negative thinking and build skills to cope with challenging situations. Anxiety treatment may include CBT and other therapies, including mindfulness training, wellness education, peer-to-peer support, and expressive or recreational therapies.

There are several medications that may help treat anxiety, including anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants. These may be used in the short-term or long-term, depending on your needs. It’s important to note, though, that medication alone is usually not a comprehensive treatment for anxiety.

Some people who experience severe anxiety may require 24-hour care, in which case inpatient treatment may be recommended. This residential treatment program provides a variety of therapy including individual, group and family therapy, along with other support and medication management.

For people who need to live at home or maintain a work schedule, outpatient treatment may be a better option. We offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment for anxiety at our Holyoke, MA facility. Some people begin treatment as an inpatient and step down to outpatient services, while others begin as an outpatient.

How Do I Get Help?

First, you’ll start with a thorough, no-obligation assessment, which you can schedule by phone or chat any time, day or night. During your assessment, our team will ask you about your medical history, symptoms, and any other emotional concerns you have.

We’ll then work with you to develop a treatment plan based on your needs and goals. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and your health and safety, you may be recommended for inpatient or outpatient treatment.