What is Anxiety?

Anxiety can be caused by a variety of genetic, physical, psychological, and environmental factors, and it can be triggered by hard or stressful life events.

We’ve all experienced feelings of anxiety at times in our lives. Stressful events happen, jobs are hard, relationships are strained. Anxiety is a normal response to life’s stressors, and usually, it is easily managed and resolved as those stressors fade. For some, however, anxiety is an ongoing, daily struggle. Feelings of fear and worry are a constant companion, and they interfere with everyday life. For those who struggle with feelings of anxiety on a regular basis, an anxiety disorder may be the culprit.

Anxiety and panic disorders come in various forms and manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorders, and phobias are the three main categories of anxiety disorders, and although they may seem similar, each one has its own hallmarks.

Three Main Types of Anxiety Disorders

  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Panic disorders
  • Phobias

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Generalized anxiety disorder is categorized by excessive anxiety and worry on most days, for at least six months, about a variety of different things.

Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms include the following:

  • Feeling restless or on-edge
  • Easily fatigued
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension
  • Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
  • Sleep disturbances

Panic Disorders & Phobias

Panic disorder is characterized by recurring panic attacks, or sudden periods of intense fear that come on quickly and intensely. Panic attacks can happen unexpectedly or be brought on by a trigger, like a certain place or situation. Often people with panic disorder take steps to avoid these triggers that may bring about panic attacks.

Panic disorder symptoms include:

  • Heart palpitations, accelerated heartrate
  • Sweating, trembling or shaking
  • Shortness of breath or sensations of choking
  • Feelings of impending doom
  • Feeling out of control

A Phobia is an intense fear of or aversion to specific objects or situations which is out of proportion to the actual danger caused by such objects or situations. Common specific phobias include fear of heights, blood, or specific animals. Social anxiety disorder is categorized by an intense fear of social situations, and agoraphobia is categorized by intense fear of being in certain situations where there are a lot of people present. People with separation anxiety disorder fear being away from people to whom they are particularly attached.

Phobia symptoms include the following:

  • Irrational or excessive worry about encountering a specific object or situation
  • Taking active steps to avoid a feared object or situation 
  • Immediate and intense anxiety when encountering a certain object or situation

Serenity View campus

Causes & Treatment

Anxiety can be caused by a variety of genetic, physical, psychological, and environmental factors, and it can be triggered by hard or stressful life events. Often, traumatic experiences can contribute to the development of mental health disorders like anxiety, which is why at Serenity View we take the time to find and address any underlying trauma that may be contributing to anxiety.

Anxiety is also a contributing factor to substance abuse, as those who suffer from it may use alcohol or drugs to ameliorate or “self-medicate” their anxiety symptoms. While this might seem to work at first, it can often lead to co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.

If you or a loved one is experiencing an anxiety or phobia disorder in any form, it’s important to seek help from a trained professional who can find the best treatment option for you. Often treatment includes a combination of medication and therapy. At Serenity View, we offer a range of personalized treatment options, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and neuro- and biofeedback in our cutting-edge Brain Center. Our highly trained professionals assess each individual’s needs in order to tailor treatment directly to their specific situation. With proper care and treatment, you can manage your anxiety and start down the path toward healing, and at Serenity View we seek to help you do just that.

GET ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS

If you or a loved one would like to know more about treatment at Serenity View Recovery Center, please give us a call to speak to one of our trained intake coordinators for assistance. 

Call 833-757-5697