Have you ever felt nervous or excited for no apparent reason? Do simple problems lead you to extreme reactions? Are you overwhelmed with the feeling of panic during simple activities, such as driving a car or an argument about unimportant matters?

Anxiety is a normal part of life; however, when anxiety begins to interfere with your ability to enjoy everyday events and routines, it could be indicative of a more severe condition.\

Anxiety Manifests in Many Forms

Anxiety’s Effects

Individuals who suffer from anxiety can be excluded from certain aspects of their lives unnecessarily. For instance, a social anxiety disorder can greatly affect one’s ability to perform certain functions at work, such as entertaining clients. This can lead to reduced opportunities for promotions and decreased earnings over time. Because anxiety can develop at any point, an individual whose job requires certain social obligations may find that they are unable to perform their jobs at all.

Other anxiety disorders can affect one’s ability to perform even simple tasks while working or socializing. Obsessive-compulsive disorder that manifests as a fear of germs might keep an individual in a public restroom for far longer than normal, simply because they are consumed with an inability to open the door to get out of the room. Many individuals who suffer from this kind of anxiety will learn ways in which to cope. In this example, for instance, an individual may watch for another patron to enter the restroom and count on the chance that they will be leaving at approximately the same time, thereby allowing the other individual to have contact with the door handle rather than them.

Linked to Drug Abuse and Addiction

Irrational fear and a misunderstanding of anxiety-related conditions can cause some individuals to turn to alcohol or drugs to escape the emotional pain they are in. Individuals who suffer from anxiety are more likely to seek prescription drugs, such as central nervous system depressants, to mitigate fear and panic. These drugs are addictive when taken more frequently than directed, which can lead an individual to become dependent even when this is not their intention.

When an individual suffers from drug addiction and any anxiety disorder, they have a dual diagnosis disorder that must be treated appropriately. The recovery process is important because the treatment for the addiction may mean removing the very medication that keeps the anxiety disorder at bay.

Alternative therapies for dealing with the anxiety may be in order to prevent further addictions. Some alternative therapies, when used in conjunction with traditional talk therapies and replacement medications, that have proven effective for some individuals are:

Anxiety Is Marked by Distinct Characteristics

An individual suffering from anxiety will experience specific symptoms. These symptoms vary by the individual and the specific anxiety disorder that is present; however, many of the symptoms co-exist between disorders. For instance:

Anxiety Is Treatable

Despite the fact that the symptoms of anxiety can be life-altering, it is a treatable condition. In some cases, the symptoms are eliminated completely and the individual can lead a normal, anxiety-free life. Depending upon the specific type of anxiety an individual experiences, the treatments can range from medication and psychological counseling to long-term inpatient care at a residential facility.

One of the most common medications for anxiety is Xanax, which is a central nervous system depressant. As mentioned earlier, these drugs can become addictive so an individual who is prescribed the drugs should monitor himself (and ask family members and friends to monitor him, as well) for any signs of dependence, tolerance or addiction.

Signs of addiction might include:

Insurance Coverage

Each insurance policy is different. The coverage is selected based upon how much the policy premiums cost both employers and employees, for instance. In many cases, however, there exists a certain amount of coverage for mental and nervous diagnoses. Anxiety generally falls into this category, and it is possible that some or all of the treatments by a psychologist or other professional counselor may be covered by the insurance benefits. To find out whether your insurance company covers treatment for anxiety or anxiety-related conditions, contact your insurance company or human resources department for information.

In the event no insurance is available, it is a good idea to find alternative methods for paying for treatment. Anxiety will not go away on its own and, in many cases, the condition will continue to get worse as it may lead to insomnia, depression and substance abuse. Many treatment facilities offer payment plans, thereby allowing most individuals to afford the treatment they need.

The benefits of seeking treatment are innumerable. Instead of living in a closed, empty world filled with fear and resentment, an individual who suffers from anxiety can find themselves activity participating in the lives of their friends, family and children on a more consistent basis. Interpersonal relationships that have been damaged can be reestablished, and the negative effects on one’s career can be repaired.

No one should have to experience the unrelenting fear that comes from excessive anxiety. No one should be exposed to the dire consequences of possible drug and alcohol abuse or the painful physical symptoms that are caused by panic attacks or other anxiety-related episodes. When you choose to enter a treatment facility or obtain outpatient care, you are choosing to regain control of an existence that has felt out of control for far too long.

Give us a call today for information on our treatment programs. We are here to help.