Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety Disorders: An Overview
If you constantly experience persistent feelings of dread and gloom or wake up in the middle of the night with a racing heart, sweaty palms, and worrisome thoughts that send your mind in a spin, you may have an anxiety disorder.
Studies show that around one in ten people are likely to struggle with a debilitating anxiety disorder at some stage in their life, with an estimated 13% of people developing some form of anxiety-inducing phobia.
Although deeply unpleasant, there’s no denying that fear can be a healthy emotion that can serve many vital roles, some of which are designed to keep us safe and protected from harm.
Anxiety can be a beneficial emotion or response, helping us to understand and avoid danger, take calculated risks, and reduce harm to ourselves and others.
For instance, if you are in a forest and spot a wild bear, it would make sense for you to feel anxious and scared.
Your heart rate may speed up along with your thoughts, and your legs may become weak and shaky.
After some time, you may try to fight off the bear (fight) or flee the situation entirely (flight).
Depending on how the bear responds, you may engage in other survival or trauma responses, such as freeze (stand still or go numb), fawn (befriend the animal or try to tame it in some way), or flop (completely shut down or go into a state of surrender or collapse.)
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The above responses are natural when faced with life-threatening danger or a crisis.
They can help us survive and defend ourselves until the danger has passed. In this context, anxiety is profoundly helpful, even life-saving, as the responses it elicits can help us decide what best to do to survive.
However, when anxiety persists, or the feeling of panic becomes a regular occurrence, it can be destructive and paralysing.
From struggling to attend a business meeting to failing to go to your weekly spin class, anxiety can inhibit our quality of life, health, and happiness.
Anxiety-related disorders (and their symptoms) are often ignored, dismissed, or numbed for a long time before an individual plucks up enough courage to seek help.
‘Courage’ is the keyword in the above sentence.
As all too often, when someone eventually seeks help, the social stigma attached to anxiety disorders can be demoralising, leaving far too many people suffering in silence.
The degree of severity, signs, and symptoms of an anxiety disorder can differ from person to person.
However, one thing remains the same: anxiety disorders, no matter the type or form they may take, have a negative impact on your ability to function and experience joy in life.
Here, we will explore anxiety disorders and effective treatments that can help.
In the meantime, if you (or someone you know) struggle with anxiety, our friendly, compassionate team at Camino Recovery is here to help.
Meet our team
Our clinical team has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating all types of anxiety disorders, utilising a holistic treatment approach to ensure you get the most out of your recovery.
We explore the underlying factors that may cause or worsen your anxiety, such as unresolved trauma, providing you with coping skills to help you manage your symptoms, as well as relapse prevention strategies so that anxiety no longer dominates your life.
Our anxiety disorder programs blend various treatment modalities and methods to facilitate lasting recovery and wellness, including:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT).
- Group and family therapy.
- Eye movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR).
- Holistic and wellness programs.
- Equine therapy.
- Relapse prevention.
With our highly specialised skill set and decades of knowledge and experience in addiction and mental health recovery, we empower you to improve your quality of life, regain your independence, and live a life free from the grip of anxiety.
Contact our friendly team today to learn more about our anxiety disorder treatment program and kick-start your journey to peace, joy, and restoration.
What is an Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety disorder is described as a group of mental illnesses that cause intense feelings of panic, dread, worry, or fear combined with varying degrees of obsessive thought patterns (e.g., ruminating), which hinder your ability to experience joy, peace, and function effectively.
Anxiety can cause extreme self-consciousness and self-doubt and can often drain a person’s mental and physical resources, causing a range of unpleasant symptoms such as low mood, irritability, and irrational thinking.
In most cases, anxiety disorders are caused by a general worry about the present or future. Moreover, anxiety sufferers are always on the lookout for cues of safety or danger in their environment.Â
For instance, even when there is no danger or threat present, someone with an anxiety disorder is in constant ‘wild-bear-in-the-forest’ mode.
The human mind prefers certainty and predictability over anything uncertain and unknown.
Thus, many of us spend our lives analysing potential outcomes and attempting to predict the future to help mitigate danger and disaster.
However, as one behavioural therapist aptly quoted.’’ certainty is the opposite of life.’’Â
Trying to establish control or agency over what may happen hours, days, or months from now can be life-limiting and may rob us of all the pleasures and joys life has to offer in the present.
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety-related disorders can be tricky to define.
The line from ‘anxious’ to ‘non-anxious’ can often be subtle and blurred. For example, what one person finds enjoyable, another might find triggering and anxiety-inducing.
To understand what causes anxiety disorders, we must examine an individual’s history, genetics, and current circumstances, as many factors can lead to the development of anxiety, including:
- Childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress.
- Family-of-origin issues, including genetics and historical trauma.
- Work stress.
- Relationship stress, such as separation or divorce.
- Substance abuse.
- Stressor-related disorders (stressful or distressing events).
- Phobias.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders.
As mentioned, it can be challenging to pinpoint the exact cause of an anxiety disorder as each individual has a unique history and set of circumstances that may make them more prone to developing the condition.
Working with a mental health professional who specialises in anxiety can help you identify the cause of your worries, helping you to manage your symptoms and build resilience over time.
What are the Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder?
The symptoms of an anxiety disorder can vary and may depend on many different factors, including genetics, background, current stressors, and the presence of other health conditions.
Moreover, anxiety symptoms can present differently in each individual. For instance, one person might struggle with fatigue, while another feels highly energised and agitated.
That said, there are some typical anxiety disorder signs and symptoms to look out for, including:
- Tension, numbness, or reduced blood flow to the extremities.
- Trouble focusing or concentrating.
- Fatigue and/or irritability.
- Headaches, dry mouth, or restlessness.
- Nausea, tingling sensations in the body, or butterflies in the stomach.
- Increased shallow breathing or elevated heart rate.
- Changes in sleep or appetite.
- Paranoia or obsessive thinking.
- Hot flashes or chills.
- Dizziness.
- Avoiding specific situations that may cause fear, such as driving, heights, or social gatherings.
Note: It is possible to experience symptoms of anxiety during certain stages of your life without having an anxiety disorder.
Remember, stress can cause temporary feelings of anxiety and tension in the mind and body, which are often linked to work issues, relationship strain, and other environmental factors.
However, to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, your symptoms must be irrational, excessive, and persist over extended periods with little to no relief.
It may help to track your symptoms over time to identify and understand any changes rather than reacting to current symptoms that may naturally pass as the stress in your life improves.
To speak to someone about your anxiety or to get an accurate diagnosis, contact one of our experienced anxiety specialists, who will happily assist.
The different types of anxiety disorders
There are various types of anxiety disorders, each with its own symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and treatments.
Let’s look at some of the most common anxiety disorders.
- Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is marked by uncontrollable, excessive worry or anxiety about various aspects of daily life.
For instance, you may worry about getting into a car in case of an accident or fret about losing your job because of a minor mistake.
Individuals with GAD may also experience physical symptoms such as fatigue, muscular aches and pains, and restlessness.
Studies show that GAD is one of the most common mental health disorders, with up to 20% of adults affected by the condition each year.
- Panic disorder
Panic disorder is characterised by sudden (recurrent) bouts of intense fear and/or unexpected panic attacks.
Individuals with panic disorder may experience a range of symptoms, including the following:
- Sweating.
- Palpitations.
- Shaking or trembling.
- Breathlessness or shallow breathing.
- Feelings of fear, worry, or doom.
- A fear of feeling out of control or a fear of death during a panic attack.
- Avoiding places, people, or scenarios that may trigger a panic attack.
- Intense fear or worry about when the next panic attack will happen.
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of panic attacks.Â
However, some research shows the following factors may play a role:
- Severe stress.Â
- Genetics.
- Personality characteristics: those more susceptible to stress or negative emotions may be at higher risk for panic attacks.
- Brain changes: studies show that specific changes in the brain may play a role in panic disorder.
Although panic attacks can be profoundly frightening and unpleasant, with the proper help, support, and treatment, you can learn to manage your symptoms and develop effective coping strategies to help you get through an episode.
Speak to your healthcare provider for further help and advice.
The different types of anxiety disorders
- Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent mental health condition that involves a significant fear of social situations that affect your everyday life.
Individuals with social anxiety disorder have an intense fear of being judged, shamed, or ridiculed by others, leading to avoidance of social activities and interactions.
It is expected to feel some anxiety during social engagements.Â
For instance, you may feel anxious on a first date or at an important work conference or even a little nervous at family gatherings.
However, although some anxiety is normal and to be expected, the fear and anxiety associated with social anxiety disorder can lead to avoidance, where your entire life is disrupted.
For example, the stress and unpleasant symptoms of social anxiety disorder may impact your relationships, work, school, and many other aspects of your life.
A combination of talk therapy and medication can be helpful for those with social anxiety disorder, helping to increase their confidence and their ability to socialise and interact with others.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder, also called PTSD, can occur when an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic or terrifying event, which can lead to the following symptoms:
- Flashbacks related to the event.
- Nightmares.
- Severe anxiety.
- Uncontrollable, intrusive thoughts about the event.
- Avoidance of anything that reminds you of the event.
- Substance abuse to cope with painful feelings, emotions, and memories related to the event.
Some research shows that PTSD is no longer classified as an anxiety disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a guide used by mental health professionals to help them diagnose patients.
Instead, PTSD is associated with trauma/stressor-related disorders.Â
However, one research paper states that PTSD has a lifetime prevalence that is close to 10% and shares the neurobiological features of an anxiety disorder. (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Anxiety-Related Conditions, National Library of Medicine, John B Williamson, Michael S Jaffee, Ricardo E Jorge, 1 December 2021.)
Those with PTSD may respond well to similar treatments used for anxiety disorders, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), particularly when used alongside trauma treatments, such as prolonged exposure therapy.
- Other types of anxiety disorder include:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Separation anxiety disorder.
- Specific phobias, including heights, fear of flying or animals.
- Agoraphobia.
- Health anxiety.
- Selective mutism.
What Can I Do To Reduce My Anxiety?
There are many things you can do to reduce your symptoms of anxiety.
Anxiety disorders often stem from situational circumstances. Therefore, a good starting point might be to change your environment. For instance, you may decide to change jobs or create healthy boundaries between you and certain friends or family members.
As well as the above, you may decide to seek professional help and support for your anxiety disorder.
Many anxiety sufferers seek the help of a mental health professional and experience lasting, positive outcomes from treatment. There is no shame in reaching out to a professional who can help you navigate your emotional difficulties and learn to manage your symptoms in new, more empowering ways.
- Behavioural therapy
Treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy are effective treatments for anxiety disorder as they can help you to explore and change maladaptive thoughts and behaviours that cause or worsen your anxiety.
These programs teach you practical coping skills and relapse prevention techniques, which can help you avoid relapse after treatment.
- Trauma treatment
In addition to behavioural therapies, many anxiety sufferers benefit from trauma treatment such as EMDR, which stands for eye movement desensitisation reprocessing.
EMDR helps target and resolve any unaddressed psychological trauma that may have been stored in your body and nervous system due to a traumatic event or stressful experience.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (side-to-side eye movements) and other techniques, such as tapping and sound, to help reprocess painful or traumatic memories that may not have had the chance to process or ‘store’ effectively in the original stress climate.
By releasing negative tension and traumatic memories from your body, any adverse feelings and emotions are also discharged, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms.
As well as therapy, there are other things you can do to reduce anxiety, such as:
- Ensuring you get regular, quality sleep each night.
- Avoiding smoking and taking illegal drugs.
- Limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake.
- Practising deep breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness.
- Improving your time management skills.
- Participating in enjoyable and stress-free hobbies.
- Spending quality time with friends and family.
- Controlling your intake of technology and social media.
What to do next
Camino Recovery specialises in diagnosing and treating all types of anxiety disorders.
Our team comprises psychiatrists, psychologists, and behavioural and trauma specialists who provide a comprehensive anxiety disorder program that meets the diverse needs and preferences of our clients.
You can be sure you are in safe hands at our stunning residential treatment centre in beautiful Velez-Malaga.
With a natural curiosity and empathy at the heart of everything we do, we offer a personal touch to mental health recovery in a safe and supportive environment.
Contact our team today for further information and support about our anxiety disorder program.
We are here and ready to help.
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