Anxiety Disorders

Does anxiety constantly intrude on your life? You’re not alone: Around 40 million adults and nearly 10% of children experience anxiety disorders. The Spectrum Behavioral Health team understands how frustrating and stressful anxiety can be. They focus on providing solutions like medication, therapy, and long-term behavioral support to ensure that you gain control and manage your condition. There are two offices in New Lenox and Hinsdale, Illinois, and telehealth is available also. Phone the office in your area today or book your appointment online.

What are anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders. An anxiety disorder causes out-of-the-ordinary feelings of nervousness and worry. They interfere with daily life.

What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorder symptoms vary by disorder. Two common kinds of anxiety disorders are:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

GAD is a common anxiety disorder that causes overpowering worry about nearly everything. It prevents you from functioning normally. People with GAD experience frequent excessive worry and tension. Racing thoughts, poor concentration, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, and other problems are common.

Panic disorder

A panic disorder’s primary symptom is panic attacks: periods of intense physical and psychological difficulties that come on suddenly. Many people with panic disorder experience symptoms so severe that they can feel like they’re having a heart attack or another medical emergency.

Examples of anxiety disorders include phobias and social anxiety disorder. The key to managing anxiety disorders is accurate diagnosis through a mental health evaluation at Spectrum Behavioral Health.

What is the correct treatment for anxiety disorders?

No single correct treatment for anxiety disorders exists because everyone is different. The Spectrum Behavioral Health team bases your treatment on your evaluation results and your symptoms. The standard treatments for anxiety include medication, therapy, or both.

Medication for anxiety

Common anxiety medications include anti-anxiety drugs, beta-blockers, and antidepressants. Each drug works differently to combat anxiety. The team prescribes the medication that’s best for you.

If one type of drug isn’t helpful, another might make all the difference. The team monitors your results and changes your medication as needed.

Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one-on-one talks with a trained therapist. They help you find the negative thought patterns causing your anxiety. CBT teaches you new thought patterns, reactions, and behaviors to ease your symptoms.

Spectrum Behavioral Health also offers alternative therapies that can help with anxiety. Brainspotting and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are two examples.

The Spectrum Behavioral Health team understands that anxiety disorders are scary. But if you take the first step toward treatment, they can help free you from your anxiety. Phone the nearest office now or book an appointment online.