Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health conditions in the country. Mental health issues 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 issues can end up being even more severe. If you are seeking mental health care, call 425.414.3530 or reach out to us online.
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 anxiety 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. 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 health conditions
- Verified insurance acceptance
Struggling with 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 issues at the same time.
How Treatment for Anxiety Can Help
Effective treatment is available for anxiety that can help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. In this document, we will explore the benefits of receiving treatment for anxiety. There are many significant benefits to seeking treatment for anxiety, including:
- Reduced symptoms – The most apparent benefit of treatment is reducing anxiety symptoms. With the help of therapy and/or medication, individuals can learn coping mechanisms and techniques to manage their anxiety symptoms, such as excessive worry, panic attacks, and physical symptoms like muscle tension or difficulty breathing.
- Improved quality of life – Anxiety can greatly impact an individual’s quality of life by interfering with relationships, work performance, and daily activities. By receiving treatment, individuals can experience an improvement in their overall well-being and feel more in control of their lives.
- Better physical health – Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach problems, and difficulty sleeping. By addressing the root causes of anxiety and finding ways to manage it, individuals may also experience improvements in their physical health.
- Increased self-awareness – Therapy is a beneficial tool for individuals with anxiety as it helps them become more self-aware and understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Through this process, they can learn to identify triggers for their anxiety and develop strategies to cope with them.
- Developing coping skills – Treatment for anxiety involves learning various coping skills that can be utilized in daily life. These skills can include relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, and cognitive-behavioral therapy exercises. Individuals can better manage their anxiety by incorporating these strategies into daily routines.
Seeking treatment for anxiety not only helps with current symptoms but also aids in preventing future episodes. Through therapy and medication, individuals can learn to identify warning signs and develop a plan of action to prevent anxiety from escalating.
Find Effective Treatment for Anxiety at Northpoint Seattle
At Northpoint Seattle, we’ve helped countless patients struggling with 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 or online and get started on the road to recovery and a healthier you.