What are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety is a normal emotion triggered by stress. The difference lies in the duration of the feeling: According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), people with anxiety disorders can’t stop worrying. It might even get worse with time or bleed into other, unrelated situations.
Anxiety disorders — like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder — are extremely common, too. The NIMH notes that one in three American adults experience them at some point in their lives, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4.4% of the global population, or more than 365 million people, currently have one. Both figures show that anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illnesses in the world, and both highlight the need for personalized anxiety treatment plans.
How Does Chronic Anxiety Affect a Person?
While anxiety carries a set of typical symptoms, they may present differently depending on the person experiencing it. This further validates Apex Recovery’s approach to care: By taking the time to work through a personalized plan instead of sticking to a strict schedule, our care team ensures you leave with the best chance of long-term success.
Personally
Anxiety can feel exhausting, and the strain of always being on a knife’s edge can spill over into your personal life. You might find yourself snapping at loved ones more than usual; you might withdraw from social commitments and relationships in an effort to avoid anxiety-inducing situations.
Medically
Chronic anxiety can lead to higher baseline levels of cortisol — the stress hormone. And according to the Cleveland Clinic, elevated levels of cortisol can cause high blood pressure, swelling, and a weakened immune system.
Signs of an Anxiety Disorder
Though a mental health concern, anxiety can manifest in a number of ways — and all can negatively affect your quality of life. If you’ve experienced any of the following signs of severe anxiety for months on end, you may want to seek a San Diego anxiety treatment center.
Physical Symptoms
These can vary depending on the condition: Someone with generalized anxiety disorder may feel restless, tense, or have trouble sleeping, while a person with social anxiety disorder might tremble or sweat excessively.
Behavioral Shifts
The American Psychological Association (APA) highlights how anxiety disorders can hinder a person’s performance at work and school, as well as strain their relationships with loved ones. They may change their habits to avoid potentially stressful situations — and, in the case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, adopt behaviors they believe will prevent harm.
Panic Attacks
Some conditions, like panic disorder, are marked by recurring panic attacks — defined by Harvard Health as episodes of unprovoked terror paired with rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, or weakness. For some, it might even feel like they’re having a heart attack.
The Apex Recovery Approach to Anxiety Treatment
The professionals at our San Diego mental health outpatient center firmly believe in the power of personalized care — and of holistic anxiety management techniques. After a 1-on-1 intake call designed to better understand your needs and goals, our team will put together a comprehensive care plan that addresses your anxiety and any co-occurring disorders.
Evidence-based methodologies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy make up the backbone of our treatments. We pair them with daily wellness practices (think: yoga, breathwork, and more) to enhance their effects, and our outpatient care model gives patients the chance to test their new skills in real-world environments. Our dual-diagnosis anxiety care will work with you through addiction recovery affected by your anxiety disorder.
“Is this normal stress, or something more?”
Don’t let anxiety dictate your routine. If you feel you need outpatient mental health support in San Diego, reach out to Apex Recovery — we’ll help you determine if you’d benefit from extra assistance.
What Others are Saying About Apex Recovery
Dozens of people like you have sought chronic anxiety recovery in San Diego — and they’ve almost always left satisfied. Read on for some of their feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Treatment Disorder
Per the Mayo Clinic, the stress caused by anxiety disorders differs from everyday worry in a few key ways: It’s hard to control, is disproportionate to the stimulus that caused it, lasts a long time, and interferes with daily activities.
No! Many people find success with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety, and even then, medication doesn’t replace the work of mindfulness practices and other grounding techniques. More than anything, it gives you a buffer so that you can implement the skills you’ve learned in therapy.
After seeking panic disorder therapy in San Diego, you’ll meet with a trained expert to determine the root causes of your anxiety. Then, we’ll choose evidence-backed treatments that’ll help you work through it — as well as introducing you to wellness practices that’ll ground you during future panic attacks.
Live Your Life Free From Anxiety
There’s no pressure to talk or sign up: Whenever you’re ready, one of our care professionals will start you on the path to recovery.
Call Apex Recovery Today