Finding the Best Anxiety Treatment Centers Near You

Anxiety is something we all experience occasionally. Being sleepless the night before a big presentation at work, nerves during that make-or-break exam, stomach knots prior to getting on a plane, or worrying indecisively over major financial or life decisions, they’re feelings are familiar to most everyone from time to time. 

However, the distinction between healthy levels of anxiousness and a diagnosable anxiety disorder can be difficult to discern. Less than 37% of people with anxiety disorder ever receive treatment, notes the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA). 

It raises the notion that many people who would benefit from anxiety treatment may downplay a potential anxiety disorder or fail to understand its seriousness. 

Recognizing those signs of an anxiety disorder, no matter how obvious or subtle — in yourself or someone you care about— takes honesty, self-reflection, and a willingness to seek help. “Anxiety disorders are highly treatable,” says the ADAA, but how can it take shape for you? What goes on inside anxiety treatment centers, and how can you make recovery from anxiety a reality? Let’s explore more.

What Is Anxiety?   

Anxiety is a natural stress response. It’s the body’s natural alarm system, a way of alerting you to potential danger or preparing you to face a challenge.   

Believe it or not, there’s an evolutionary advantage to feeling anxious. Developing anxiety was beneficial to our ancestors in their emotional and behavioral toolkits when it came to staying vigilant against potential predators. Public speaking might cause even the most extroverted person to retreat into their shell, but the anxiety over it can be a motivator for preparing and practicing, says the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Anxiety becomes an asset when driving in busy traffic, for example, because it keeps you alert to and cognizant of your surroundings. 

“Anxiety is telling us that we care about the future and want it to turn out a certain way,” notes a University of California study. “Feeling anxious actually releases dopamine, which motivates us to pursue rewards and take action to bring about the future we want. For example, we might study harder for a test, schedule a checkup at the doctor, or devote more time to our relationship.” 

When anxiety becomes chronic, intense, and excessive, and you may feel yourself worrying about — even dreading — normal, low-stakes situations when there’s no immediate threat, it could be a sign of a burgeoning anxiety disorder. 

“These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger, and can last a long time,” says the Mayo Clinic. “You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings.” 

There’s no set timeframe for how long an anxiety disorder lasts. Each person can respond differently to anxiety, just as everyone can develop anxiety for different reasons. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anxiety disorders can result from social (your own personal experiences, particularly stressful ones), psychological (your mindset and mental health), and biological (such as genetics and family history of anxiety) factors. “Anyone can have an anxiety disorder, but people who have lived through abuse, severe losses or other adverse experiences are more likely to develop one,” notes the WHO. 

Anxiety Disorders Explained 

While some symptoms of many anxiety disorders may overlap and share patterns, each one has distinct characteristics. Here’s a look at four of the most common:  

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)   

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, is the broadest, most common type of anxiety. With GAD, you may experience a persistent, pervasive sense of extreme, unrealistic worry about common, everyday events that would normally not cause concern.  

Living with GAD, you might anticipate the worst or obsess over possible catastrophes regarding work, your health, finances, relationships, or day-to-day moments, even when there’s no rational or logical reason for it. According to the Mayo Clinic, the strain and stress from GAD can lead to a host of physical symptoms, like hyperventilation, a racing heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and feeling weak. GAD often co-occurs (goes hand-in-hand) with depression or the likelihood of substance abuse.  

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) 

A fear of being judged by other people is the main symptom of Social Anxiety Disorder, or SAD. SAD extends beyond being shy or reserved. It involves feeling petrified of being embarrassed, humiliated or rejected in social situations, where, like GAD, the intense worry is often exaggerated or overblown.  

As a result, people with SAD may avoid taking part in conversations or speaking up in class or work in fear of saying something that might get laughed at, leading them to isolate themselves and avoid people altogether. It’s an anxiety disorder that can make everyday activities like shopping, eating in public, or simply making a phone call extremely difficult. According to NAMI, SAD can lead to panic attacks while anticipating or being a part of social interactions.  

Panic Disorder 

Feelings of dread and terror that come without warning are typical of the sudden panic attacks experienced by those living with panic disorder. These sudden episodes of intense fear, similar to those with GAD, usually have no basis in reality, where the fear is disproportionate to the situation. 

A panic attack is often accompanied by chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or dizziness, physical symptoms that are often mistaken for a heart attack. Between attacks, you may worry about when and where the next attack will occur, raising the risk of having the next panic attack. “Many people will go to desperate measures to avoid an attack, including social isolation,” says NAMI. 

Specific Phobias 

Some people also develop phobias and anxiety over specific objects or situations. “Specific phobias are an extreme fear of objects or situations that pose little or no danger but make you highly anxious,” says the Mayo Clinic. “So, you try to stay away from these things.” 

The clinic notes some of the most common specific phobias: 

• Situational fears like flying on planes, being in a car, tight spaces or classrooms 

• Natural environment fears such as thunder and lightning, a fear of heights or the dark  

• A fear of animals, including dogs, various reptiles or insects 

• Medical fears, like feeling extremely squeamish about needles, seeing blood, or doctor visits 

• Other common fears like choking on food, feeling sick to your stomach, sudden loud sounds or clowns 

NAMI notes other common phobias, like agoraphobia (a fear of places and situations that may cause panic), selective mutism (affecting children who cannot speak in situations like school), separation anxiety disorder (common in children when separated from parents or guardians) and anxiety over substances and medications (such as symptoms of anxiety during drug or alcohol withdrawal).