Anxiety Disorders Are Persistent and Treatable. Here's What You Need to Know
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America estimates that 40 million adults (18%) will experience an anxiety disorder in a given year and that only about one-third of those diagnosed with an anxiety disorder seek treatment.1 Anxiety disorders can be persistent, affect daily functioning, and interfere with relationships. The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications such as antidepressants or antipsychotics. Lakeview Health's team of experts has the expertise to treat all types of anxiety disorders including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, and PTSD.
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States. They affect about 18 percent of adults—that's 40 million people—and occur in all age groups, including children.
Anxiety disorders are chronic conditions that lead to feelings of fear, uneasiness, and worry. They're not the same as stress and can be distinguished by their intensity, duration, and impact on your everyday life. Unlike the typical uneasiness that most people feel from time to time (like before giving a speech), anxiety disorders last at least six months and cause a lot more distress or impairment in daily life. In fact, they often interfere with work-related tasks, school attendance or performance, sleeping patterns, and daily functioning for those who have them.
Anxiety disorders are often long-lasting and can be difficult to treat
Anxiety disorders are persistent and treatable. They’re not curable, but they can be managed. The most common treatments include medication and therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Medications used to treat anxiety include antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines, beta-blockers, and buspirone.
If you think you may have an anxiety disorder, there are a few steps you can take:
Get educated about the symptoms of each type of anxiety disorder — what they look like in both children and adults; how they differ from depression or other mood disorders; how to tell if your worries are normal or need attention from a mental health professional; what causes them; etc. This is the best way to help yourself get through this difficult time!
The most common types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder
The most common types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Two more uncommon disorders are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and separation anxiety disorder.
There isn't one cause for anxiety disorders
Many factors can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. It's important to understand how these factors work together so that you can better manage your condition and reduce your risk for future problems.
Genetics and brain chemistry: There are several genes that may increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder, including those that control serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. Also, people with certain personality traits, such as being more introverted or sensitive to stress, may be more likely to develop one as well.
Brain-body connection: Your body reacts differently when you're stressed out or anxious than it does when you're relaxed and calm. When your body releases hormones like adrenaline during stressful situations, the heart beats faster and blood pressure rises so that you can stay alert enough to fight off danger (or run away). When these same symptoms occur during everyday life situations where there's no immediate threat—like having a bad day at work—they could cause physical symptoms like fatigue or headaches when they weren't present before exposure
Left untreated, some types of anxiety disorders can worsen over time or lead to other concerns such as depression or substance use disorder
Left untreated, some types of anxiety disorders can worsen over time or lead to other concerns such as depression or substance use disorder.
Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves medication, therapy, and other forms of treatment.
Anxiety disorders are persistent and treatable
Anxiety disorders are persistent and treatable. They can go on for years, which is why it’s important to get treatment at the first sign of symptoms. The best treatment for anxiety disorders is a combination of medication and therapy because they work together to address what’s at the root of your condition. The first step in recovery is getting diagnosed so that you know what kind of treatment will be best suited to help you manage your symptoms and get back on track with your life!
Anxiety supplements
Anxiety supplements are a safe, effective way to treat anxiety. They can be a good alternative for people who can't afford anxiety medications or don't respond well to them. Here are the best 3 supplements for anxiety:
Ashwagandha
Conclusion
When you're suffering from an anxiety disorder, it can be difficult to know where to turn. You might feel like your condition is too serious to treat without medication, or too embarrassing to share with family and friends. But the good news is that there are many treatment options available. In fact, our team of experts at Lakeview Health has years of experience treating all types of anxiety disorders in adults, children and adolescents—and we’ve been able to help even those who have struggled for years with no success elsewhere. So if you're ready for change, we're here for you!