Anxiety
Anxiety – otherwise known as Generalised Anxiety Disorder – is your body’s natural response to stress. Everybody who experiences stress in their lives will experience a level of anxiety, too, and while it may feel unsettling, it is a natural response that can actually help us in situations where we may feel uncomfortable or out of control. When this gets too much, we may need expert anxiety treatment to help us learn how to manage our stress better.
Unfortunately, many of us experience prolonged feelings of anxiety, even when we aren’t feeling stressed. Our body enters a fight or flight mode for reasons unknown to us, and as a result, we tend to feel hyperaware, short of breath and panicked in scenarios when we should, in fact, feel calm and collected.
What is anxiety?
Globally, anxiety disorders affect almost 300 million people.
Anxiety is actually a healthy feeling to feel. It keeps up alert, readied and prepared for eventualities that might occur, like a job interview or an exam at school. It only becomes a problem, however, when we feel anxious in unwarranted, uncontrollable ways. As a consequence, it can impair our judgement and paralyse our ability to act in certain situations.
The National Health Service in the UK defines Generalised Anxiety Disorder as:
‘People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed. As soon as one anxious thought is resolved, another may appear about a different issue.’
Anxiety may present itself in many different situations throughout life. For some people, it might be work that is making them anxious. For others, its social situations.
If you’re wanting to overcome anxiety, then, it’s important to recognise in what situations you feel anxious and begin understanding what triggers your anxiety so you can begin understanding why you may feel this way.
What are the types of anxiety disorders?
Anxiety plays a vital role in many different disorders, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Panic disorders
- Gambling addiction
- Social anxiety disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive behaviours (OCD)
- Separation anxiety disorders
- Illness anxiety disorders
- Substance abuse and alcohol addiction
Oftentimes, when people enter into rehab for severe anxiety, they’re faced with a dual diagnosis and are also experiencing another disorder, too. To truly get to the root cause of the anxiety, one must first face their primary addiction or ailment, like gambling addiction or OCD.
Anxiety treatment
Treatment for anxiety is based on how severely you are affected by it, and whether or not it impairs your ability to function in everyday life.
There are a few approaches to treatment for Generalised Anxiety Disorder, including psychotherapy, holistic wellness practices, and medication. In a rehab setting, you will likely benefit from a combination of these treatments, receiving tailored support and guidance from experts who can help you understand your anxiety and work towards eradicating it for good.
Taking ownership of your anxiety recovery
Anxiety treatment at Salt Recovery is not a passive experience. While you’re in our care, you’ll be expected and encouraged to play an active, engaged role in your treatment program and work with your therapist to uncover the underlying reasons you may be experiencing anxiety.
Depending upon your strengths, needs, preferences, and goals, your personalised anxiety treatment plan may feature an array of different treatment approaches, from holistic wellness practices like meditation and art therapy, to evidence-based treatments like CBT and psychotherapy. Your willingness and ability to work with your therapist will ensure that you’re receiving the services that best meet your needs, provided in the manner that is most conducive to helping you achieve your immediate and long-term goals.
All our experts here at Salt Recovery understand Generalised Anxiety Disorders and how to treat them. Anxiety affects everyone to some degree, after all, and we’re all in need of support and guidance to help us through particularly difficult times in our lives.
Signs and symptoms of anxiety
Shortness of breath, Increased heart rate, Restlessness, Trouble concentrating
Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep,Faintness or dizziness, Dry mouth and wheezing breath, Sweating
Hot flashes, Restlessness, Distress or severe fear about something, Numbness or tingling, Worry or paralysis
