Do you know you could be one of the 40 million people in the U.S. suffering from an anxiety disorder?
Well, before we analyze if you are suffering from one of the most common mental illness in the U.S., let us see what exactly anxiety disorder is.
What is anxiety disorder?
Anxiety disorders are defined as mental health condition that may make you feel scared, restless or nervous. All these conditions do not allow you to perform day to day task in a normal way. These disorders may develop due to a number of complex risk factors such as life events, personality, genetics, and brain chemistry.
You may have anxiety disorder if you:
- Frequently feel afraid or avoid meeting lots of people
- Often feel worried
- Get panic attacks
- Remain tense or restless
- Have increased heart rate
- Can’t concentrate often
- Feel people don’t hold good option of you
Good News
While anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., the good news is that they are highly treatable. If you have any of the above symptoms it is important to seek medical help and start a suitable treatment.
Treating Anxiety Disorders
Despite of the fact that anxiety can be well treated, statistics show that only 36.9% of suffers receive treatment. In case you have this mental condition you must not ignore it as it may lead to worse if left untreated.
Studies show that people having an anxiety disorder are 3 to 5 times more likely to visit the doctor. They are also much more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders compared to those without this mental condition. Many times those who suffer from anxiety also have depression or vice versa. About half the patients of depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
So its best to see a doctor and get treatment without delay. Many good counseling services such as Symmetry Counselling Services provide treatment for anxiety disorders, helping you get back to normal routine of life. The treatment you may get depends on the type of anxiety disorder and its intensity.
Methods of treating Anxiety Disorders
Once your doctor diagnosis your symptoms he may recommend you one of the following treatments:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Group Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is considered as a psycho-social intervention treatment that aims to improve mental health of patients suffering from anxiety disorder. This method is commonly used for treating anxiety and depression. CBT focuses on treating unhealthy thoughts or challenging and obstructive cognitive behaviors.
With the help of this treatment you may get to improve emotional regulation in addition to developing personal strategies for coping with mental conditions.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is another useful treatment for anxiety disorders. This treatment involves the therapist and client working with each other to develop acceptance and adopt strategies for change-oriented. It is an evidence-based psychotherapy method that can be used for treating various conditions such as mood disorders, suicidal thoughts, and behavioral pattern changes like substance abuse or self-harm. In addition, it may also help to improve communication with the members of the family.
Group Therapy
Another method to treat anxiety is Group Therapy where a group of patients get together to discuss their issues with each other. The sessions are conducted under the supervision of a therapist of course.
