What is Anxiety Treatment?
We all worry and feel anxious every once in a while because of stressful life events. However, if you struggle with anxiety disorder, these emotions can be very intense. They might keep you from doing your normal daily activities, negatively affecting your health and wellbeing.
Anxiety is a general term covering a range of underlying disorders. Below are the different types of anxiety:
- Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder, including panic attacks
- Social anxiety disorder
- Separation anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Adjustment disorder
- Phobias
The symptoms of anxiety depend on the specific type you’re suffering from. The symptoms may in fact even be just unique to you. However, there are typical symptoms of anxiety, and these include:
Psychological
- Persistent sense of worry and dread
- Impatience
- Anger and irritability
Physical
- Breathing problems
- Increase in blood pressure
- Palpitations
You might feel overwhelmed by the idea of getting a diagnosis for your anxiety. However, this is the initial step you need to take for your recovery. There are symptoms commonly experienced by people with anxiety. You will be diagnosed with the disorder if you:
- Often spend your days worrying excessively about many different things
- Struggle to control your worrying
- Find that your symptoms are severely impacting your life and general wellbeing
If this describes you, it is essential to consult your GP. They can assess your symptoms, diagnose your anxiety, and determine its cause or refer you to a mental health specialist for a more in-depth examination.
Another option is to see a mental health provider directly, such as Priory. Our highly experienced psychiatrists can give you a comprehensive evaluation and recommend anxiety treatment.
How is Anxiety Treated?
Anxiety impairs the wellbeing of many sufferers. However, proper support can alleviate your distress and enable you to strongly recover. The treatment given will depend on the severity of your symptoms. However, therapy and medication have been proven effective in treating anxiety disorders.
At AddictionRehab, we are committed to providing specialist anxiety treatment and help to our diverse range of clients.
Each treatment plan is specially developed to meet the specific needs of every individual and is in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Our experts will collaborate with you to understand the cause of your anxiety, address your symptoms, and enhance your quality of life.
It is crucial to seek professional help for your anxiety. We have several anxiety treatment programmes at AddictionRehab, depending on the severity of your anxiety. The range of treatment plans available include:
- Outpatient treatment for anxiety
This involves making regular visits at one of our wellbeing clinics or treatment centres for your anxiety therapy sessions. Often done on a weekly basis, this flexible format of treatment allows you to schedule your sessions around your work and other commitments.
- Day care
With day care, your anxiety therapy entails going to any of our dedicated clinics each week for a certain number of full or half days. This treatment format is designed for people who don’t need intensive 24-hour support but require continuous and structured care for their anxiety.
- Inpatient (residential) treatment
Inpatient treatment for anxiety involves staying at one of our treatment centres on a residential basis, where you will be provided with intensive treatment and 24-hour support. Inpatient treatment gives you a chance to take a break from your everyday life and whatever negative influences are making your anxiety worse – reasons why this treatment format is effective in treating anxiety.
Online therapy for anxiety
We also offer online therapy to provide flexibility and meet the needs of our patients. This therapy format allows you access to support for anxiety from the comfort of your home and at a time that’s convenient for you.
Therapy for Anxiety
We provide different therapy types and formats to treat anxiety:-
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
One of the most common therapies is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is premised on the idea that anxiety is caused and exacerbated by negative thought patterns. These patterns can be deeply ingrained and cause you to respond to and process situations in unhealthy ways. Thus, CBT aims to address the unhealthy thought processes that form the foundation of your anxiety and explore the fundamental reasons why they developed, ultimately helping you develop a more positive perspective on situations.
CBT has been proven to provide lasting benefits and equips you with effective coping strategies for the future that will enable you to recognise negative thoughts when they enter your mind and respond to them positively and not with anxiety.
Exposure therapy
This is another form of treatment method we use for tackling anxiety. It aims to reduce your distress by exposing you to objects, situations, or events that cause them. This process of exposure is done in carefully graded steps, helping you confront your fears and eventually overcome your anxiety.
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
This involves letting your brain resume its natural healing process and is used in the treatment of brain or traumas, PTSD and panic disorders.
Aside from the techniques mentioned above, we also offer a range of talking therapies designed to address anxiety, and these are available in the following formats:
One-to-one therapy
This type of therapy is done on an individual basis between yourself and an anxiety specialist. During your sessions, the therapist will be able to address your unique concerns, helping you achieve the best results as an individual. This therapy can be done face-to-face or as part of therapy conducted online.
Group therapy
This is a support group type of therapy. People who have been diagnosed with anxiety or suffering through similar issues make up the group, and the aim is to share your experiences, offer mutual support and guidance, and talk with compassionate people about your anxiety in a safe space without the fear of being judged. Together, these groups provide a rich source of strength and hope to those attending the sessions.
Family and couples therapy
This is another kind of group therapy but one that involves your family or loved ones. It aims to help you have an open and honest conversation with these people about your anxiety, enabling them to have an understanding of anxiety, recognise the signs and symptoms, and examine the impact that anxiety is having on you and them.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Anxiety Medication
Antidepressants can be used as a standalone treatment or in combination with CBT to address antenatal and postpartum depression. If you are experiencing severe depression or if talking therapy has not helped improve your condition, you may need to take antidepressant medication.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Referred to as SSRIs, this is the most recommended class of anxiety medication which works as an antidepressant. It is vital to take a full course of SSRI treatment, which typically lasts for nine months or more - Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers, such as Propranolol, can help to minimise the physical symptoms of anxiety. These medications can be helpful in specific situations, such as when you have to perform or speak in public, if these things trigger your anxiety.
When Should I Get Anxiety Treatment?
If you are no longer able to function on a daily basis due to your worries and anxiety, it’s time to seek professional help.
You need not suffer alone because the condition is treatable, and complete recovery is achievable. We successfully assist thousands of people every year in overcoming their anxiety and allowing them to return to their healthy and fulfilling lives. We have a world-class team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists committed to helping you through your journey to getting your life back on track.
FREE Anxiety Assessment
If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, there is hope and a solution for you. You can receive treatment as an outpatient or inpatient and through one-on-one or support group therapy. We understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help and support.
Our multidisciplinary team of experts have successfully treated thousands of people suffering from anxiety, helping them regain control of their lives.
We can present and explain the world-class treatment options we offer, discuss your problem with anxiety with you, assess your condition, and give you recommendations on the best and most appropriate next step you can take so you can regain control of your life.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free anxiety assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to offer support – with no pressure or judgement.
Professional and compassionate help is just a phone call or click away.
