Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental illnesses in the country. Mental health problems are more common on average in the Seattle area than in the rest of Washington state and even the United States. Living with an anxiety disorder can make it hard to focus, accomplish tasks, stay healthy, and ultimately live a happy and productive life. When an anxiety disorder occurs alongside an addiction to drugs like opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol, these problems can end up being even more severe. If you are seeking mental health care, call 425.414.3530.
What Is an Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety is a normal part of life as a human. It’s what causes people to spring into action in critical situations. Without it, many wouldn’t be motivated to get essential tasks done throughout the day. This anxiety is part of the fight or flight system – basically the body’s way of telling us “it’s time to get in gear” and perform some action. However, when we experience continued and intense anxiety, sometimes for no reason at all, that’s when it becomes an actual disorder. For people with an anxiety disorder, the brain’s fight or flight mechanism is triggered repeatedly, causing intense symptoms of panic and worry in the face of situations that don’t call for it.
Sometimes the symptoms of an anxiety disorder can be so overwhelming that people will intentionally avoid situations, won’t engage in certain activities, and even fear for their lives for no reason at all. Others may even turn to substance abuse to self-medicate and try to cope with these anxiety symptoms, even though professional treatment through an anxiety treatment center is both widely available and highly successful.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
The mental health field has come a long way in classifying anxiety disorders. And while these disorders were lumped into one overarching umbrella term at one time, they have now been separated into their distinct classes. There are five major types of anxiety disorders:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Panic Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)
Finding the Right Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Seattle
To treat an anxiety disorder properly, it takes a professional program with certain expertise. Finding an anxiety treatment center that meets your specific needs can be tough when you don’t know what to look for. But doing so is also key to getting the absolute best care possible and ensuring long-term recovery.
Below are just a few things to look for when searching for a professional program. You’ll want to find a treatment center that offers:
- Proper accreditation from national agencies
- Evidence-based treatments backed up by real science
- A high staff-to-patient ratio
- Staffed by qualified nurses, physicians, and psychiatrists
- Various treatments that address the full spectrum of addiction and mental disorders
- Verified insurance acceptance
Suffering from an anxiety disorder alongside an addiction can be devastating if left untreated. So if you’re dealing with addiction alongside your anxiety disorder, it’s important to find a treatment program with a dual diagnosis specialty as well. What makes these treatment programs different from other professional addiction treatment programs is that they help identify underlying co-occurring disorders and create a recovery plan that focuses on treating both disorders at the same time.
Northpoint Seattle Offers An Anxiety Treatment Program Designed For You
At Northpoint Seattle, we’ve helped countless patients suffering from an anxiety disorder overcome addictions and regain their mental health. Our programs are nationally accredited by the Joint Commission, staffed by some of the most qualified professionals in the area, and offer a comprehensive recovery experience. We know that an anxiety disorder can make living life to its fullest nearly impossible. And we are passionate about helping each of our patients regain control over their lives.
But even if our program isn’t right for you, we’d love to help you find one that is. Our dedicated rehab specialists are standing by to answer any questions you may have and point you to the best programs to treat your anxiety. So, contact us today at 425.414.3530 and get started on the road to recovery and a healthier you.