Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that causes fear, worry, and stress. For some people, these feelings are intense and hard to manage.
Everyone feels anxious sometimes. But, according to the American Psychiatric Association, the difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder is when anxiety is constant and interferes with daily life.
Imagine feeling nervous about a big test. Now, imagine that feeling lasting all day, every day — that’s what anxiety can feel like for some people.
Anxiety treatment can help people learn how to manage these emotions. At Summit at Harmony Oaks, there are several treatment options to help people in and around Chattanooga, TN with anxiety.
About Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are more than just feeling nervous. They bring intense fear that doesn’t go away and can make everyday tasks hard.
These mental health disorders affect the mind and body, making simple activities difficult. People with anxiety disorders often have trouble at work, in school, and in relationships.
At Summit at Harmony Oaks, you’ll find hope and healing from anxiety through compassionate support, effective therapies, and a community that understands — empowering you to reclaim peace and confidence for a brighter future.
What Are the Causes of Anxiety Disorders?
There is no single cause of anxiety disorders. However, certain factors can increase the risk. These include family history, traumatic events, and ongoing stress.
People with a family history of anxiety or mental illness may be more prone to anxiety. Events like abuse, loss, or illness can trigger anxiety disorders.
Stress from work, relationships, major life changes, or even physical health issues can contribute to anxiety. It’s important to address all aspects of a person’s life in treatment.
Who Is at Risk of Developing Anxiety Disorders?
Anyone can have an anxiety disorder, but some people are more prone to these conditions. Here are some factors that can increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder:
- Genetics: Family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions.
- Trauma: Experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, especially in childhood.
- Environmental stress: Ongoing stress from work, family, or finances.
- Personality: Traits like shyness, perfectionism, or risk-aversion.
- Medical conditions: Physical health issues like thyroid problems or heart conditions.
- Substance abuse: Using drugs or alcohol, or quitting them.
- Childhood adversity: Negative experiences in childhood, like neglect or poverty.
- Major life changes: Significant events like moving or losing a loved one.
These factors can work together to cause or make anxiety worse. Adolescents face unique stressors and challenges that can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders.
What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders?
Symptoms of anxiety disorders can vary. Common emotional symptoms include constant worry, fear, and feeling tense. There can also be physical effects of anxiety on the body.
Physical symptoms may include:
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Muscle tension
- Trouble sleeping
- Digestive issues
These symptoms can make daily life challenging. If left untreated, they may worsen over time.
The physical symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as a racing heart or shortness of breath, can often lead to misdiagnosis as other medical conditions, especially those affecting the heart.
Types of Anxiety Disorders Treated at Summit at Harmony Oaks
Specific phobias and disorders may require different approaches to treatment. At Summit at Harmony Oaks, there are treatments for several types of anxiety disorders. These include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): GAD causes constant worry about different parts of life, like work or health. This excessive worry can interfere with daily activities and lead to feelings of restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): OCD involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions (compulsions). These actions can take up significant time and greatly disrupt a person’s day.
- Panic disorders: Panic disorder includes short-term, intense episodes of fear called panic attacks. Symptoms include a racing heart, trouble breathing, and feelings of detachment or loss of control.
- Other anxiety disorders: Phobias are strong fears of certain objects, places, or social situations, like heights (acrophobia) or crowded spaces (agoraphobia). These can all disrupt daily life and lead to avoidance behaviors. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can happen after experiencing a traumatic event, leading to anxiety and fear.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) lists and explains each type of anxiety disorder.
Most Insurance Accepted
As a member of the Harmony Health Group family of treatment programs, we are able to work with many private insurance plans.
Verify InsuranceSide Effects & Complications of Anxiety Disorders
Untreated anxiety disorders can lead to significant health issues. People with chronic anxiety may experience high blood pressure, heart issues, sleep problems, headaches, and muscle tension.
Anxiety also impacts mental health, increasing the risk of depression, social isolation, slower thinking, and substance abuse, as some may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope.
Medications like buspirone and beta-blockers can help manage symptoms by balancing brain chemicals like serotonin and reducing muscle tension.
Seeking professional help is vital to managing anxiety, improving quality of life, and preventing these serious health problems.
Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Chattanooga, TN
In Chattanooga, TN, Summit at Harmony Oaks offers several intervention options for anxiety. Each treatment plan is created for individual needs, helping people manage symptoms and regain control of their lives.
Detox is generally the first step in any addiction treatment program. It is a very important step because in order to truly begin to recover, you need to get the substance out of your system.
During this time, healthcare providers will monitor patients’ vital signs, including blood pressure and heart rate. In some instances, there are medications that can assist with severe and intense withdrawal symptoms.
In most cases, patients can hang out with other patients undergoing detox. It helps to have support from people going through the same thing you are.
Outpatient programs allow people to get treatment while living at home. They can attend therapy sessions and group meetings, usually a few times each week. This option works well for people with mild to moderate anxiety who can manage their daily lives but still need support.
Support from home is also helpful, as family members can play a supportive role in understanding and managing anxiety disorders together.
Addiction and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. Treating both conditions can lead to recovery. At Summit at Harmony Oaks Recovery Center, we help people who are dealing with both anxiety and addiction at the same time. Treating both conditions together makes it easier to stay on track with recovery.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is important in treating both anxiety and addiction. It helps people change how they think and react to stressful situations.
Therapies for Anxiety Treatment at Summit at Summit at Harmony Oaks
Summit at Harmony Oaks uses different therapies to help people with anxiety disorders. These therapies provide tools and techniques to manage anxiety symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps you look at how your thoughts affect your feelings and actions. By learning to change these thought patterns, you can start to feel more in control of your anxiety.
CBT at Summit at Harmony Oaks can help people challenge irrational thoughts, develop healthier ways of thinking, and respond better to stressful situations. Some conditions that can be effectively treated with CBT include PTSD, OCD, panic disorder, and separation anxiety disorder (SAD).
In these therapies, people share their experiences with others facing similar issues. Support groups as part of treatment can reduce feelings of isolation and increase understanding.
Sharing experiences with others facing similar challenges helps people feel less isolated and learn practical self-help strategies. Support groups are available in inpatient and outpatient settings.
Family therapy involves loved ones in treatment, helping everyone understand the condition and learn how to support each other. Individual therapy provides a private setting for people to talk with a therapist one-on-one.
Psychotherapy (talk therapy), exposure therapy, medication, or a combination have been proven effective for treating many forms of anxiety disorders. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation are used as practical tools for managing anxiety.
For those with PTSD or trauma-related anxiety, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can help. This therapy helps people process traumatic memories and reduce the anxiety they cause.
Summit at Harmony Oaks also offers alternative therapies like yoga, adventure therapy, and music therapy:
- Yoga therapy: Yoga helps us feel calmer and less stressed by combining movement and mindfulness.
- Adventure therapy: Outdoor activities like hiking can boost confidence and teach us ways to handle anxiety better.
- Music therapy: Music can help us express our feelings and reduce stress. It can improve our mental health and make us feel better.
These activities help people relax, build confidence, and explore new ways to handle stress.
Simple practices like the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety (identifying three things you see, hear, and feel) can help patients refocus during anxious moments.
Reach Recovery from Anxiety at Summit at Summit at Harmony Oaks
Contact UsRecovery from anxiety is possible. With the right support and treatment, you can regain control over your life.
At Summit at Harmony Oaks, you can learn how to manage your anxiety and live a happier, healthier life. The goal is to help you feel stronger, so you can face life with less fear.
Do you struggle with anxiety? Contact out team today to enroll in an anxiety treatment program at Summit at Harmony Oaks Recovery Center.
Anxiety Treatment Program FAQs
The most effective treatments for anxiety are usually therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication. These treatments help people understand their thoughts and feelings, making it easier to manage symptoms.
Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work by balancing serotonin in the brain to improve mood and reduce symptoms. Antidepressants (like SSRIs) and anti-anxiety medications (such as diazepam or other benzodiazepines) are commonly prescribed alongside therapy for anxiety disorders.
Inpatient treatment is best for those with severe anxiety who struggle with daily life. If anxiety makes it hard to go to work or take care of yourself, inpatient treatment can provide a safe space to focus on healing.
Anxiety may not completely go away, but with treatment, people can manage it successfully. Many people learn to live well with anxiety through therapy, medication, and coping strategies.
Summit at Harmony Oaks focuses on helping people reach lasting recovery from addiction.
Sources
- American Psychological Association. “What Is Exposure Therapy?”. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/exposure-therapy. Accessed on October 30, 2024.
- American Psychiatric Association. “Anxiety”. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders. Accessed on October 30, 2024.
- American Psychiatric Association. “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)”. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm. Accessed on October 30, 2024.
- Mayo Clinic. “Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)”. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432. Accessed on October 30, 2024.
- Medical News Today. “How do you know if you’re having a panic or anxiety attack?”. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321798. Accessed on October 30, 2024.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Anxiety Disorders.” Retrieved from: https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-conditions/anxiety-disorders/. Accessed on October 30, 2024.
- National Institute of Mental Health. “Psychotherapies”. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies#:~:text=Psychotherapy%20. Accessed on October 30, 2024.