Symptoms of anxiety include:
- Sweating
- Restlessness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Increased energy
- Feeling of dread
- Nervousness
In extreme cases, anxiety can lead to a panic attack. A panic attack is a sudden and intense episode of fear and anxiety, characterized by a racing heart, trembling, difficulty breathing, weakness or dizziness, chest pain, and numb or tingly hands.
While everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, some people experience anxiety to the point that it severely interferes with their ability to function. These individuals have anxiety disorders. Unlike regular feelings of anxiety, anxiety disorders do not go away, and they can get worse over time if people don’t get treatment.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) – GAD is a condition characterized by excessive worries about day-to-day life. Their anxiety goes beyond regular anxiety, and it may affect their ability to maintain relationships, be successful at school or work, and relax at the end of the day. Generalized anxiety disorder affects 6.8 million adults or 3.1% of Americans.
- Panic Disorder – This condition is characterized by panic attacks that appear suddenly, repeatedly, and seemingly for no reason. Regular panic attacks can be distressing and extremely disruptive in daily life. Approximately 6 million adults or 2.7% of the U.S. population have panic disorder.
- Social Anxiety Disorder – Social anxiety disorder refers to an intense fear of being watched or judged by others. This condition can make it difficult to go out in public, speak in groups, or meet new people, so it can affect things like work and relationships. 15 million adults or 7.1% of the U.S. population suffer from social anxiety disorder.
- Phobias – Phobia is a word for intense ear. People with phobias experience extreme, debilitating fear over things that pose very little or no danger. Common phobias include crowded spaces, flying, spiders, or public spaces (agoraphobia). About 19.3 million adults or 9.1% of Americans experience phobias.
If you or someone you love struggles with an anxiety disorder, our New Jersey treatment program can help you manage your condition and regain control of your life.
The Relationship Between Anxiety and Substance Abuse
Self-medicating an anxiety disorder is risky and can quickly lead to a substance use disorder. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol use is more likely to make anxiety worse rather than better, especially in the long run. Once a person’s addiction progresses and starts causing problems in their daily lives, they will likely experience even more severe anxiety than before.
Overall, an estimated 20% of people with anxiety disorders also have a co-occurring substance use disorder.
How is Anxiety Treated?
Anxiety treatment programs in New Jersey can provide the support needed to get your anxiety under control while recovering from addiction. Anxiety is typically treated comprehensively, using medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Anxiety can be treated using benzodiazepines or antidepressant medications. However, benzodiazepines can be addictive, so they are rarely prescribed to people who have a history of addiction. Many antidepressant medications, however, can work well for many types of anxiety disorders.
While medications can provide symptom relief, they don’t treat the root cause of the issue. In order to address the causes of anxiety and introduce healthy coping skills, behavioral therapy is required.
One of the most popular therapies used to treat anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT encourages clients to analyze their thoughts and behaviors to better understand their feelings and actions. After clients gain self-awareness, they can begin modifying their thoughts and behaviors to promote less anxiety. For people who suffer from phobias, CBT may also involve exposure therapy. Exposure therapy helps individuals face their fears so they can begin doing some of the activities they have been avoiding due to anxiety.
Finally, certain lifestyle changes can help individuals manage anxiety, such as journaling, meditation, art, yoga, or exercise.
Our Anxiety Treatment Program in New Jersey
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- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Anxiety Disorders, Retrieved September 2023 from https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Anxiety-Disorders
- Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA): Anxiety Disorders – Facts & Statistics, Retrieved September 2023 from https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics
