Knowing the Signs and Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder

Millions of people suffer from anxiety disorders and panic attacks. For as common as the disorder is, many people don’t know the signs and symptoms that could help get them the treatment they need. Anxiety disorder treatment plans will help patients who are diagnosed with it live fuller, more active lives without fear or anxiety. For people who have severe cases of the disorder, the result is a life of isolation and constant fear or panic.

Identifying the Signs and Symptoms

Anxiety disorder treatment plans that involve treatment for anxiety disorders will be designed around two things: controlling the symptoms and counseling to help the patient cope with the mental and emotional aspects of the condition. The symptoms that are most commonly looked at include:

• Increased amounts of stress or tension when out in public
• Hyperventilating when under extreme stress
• Rapid heartbeat
• Cold, clammy skin
• Confusion
• Inability to focus on a specific task

Anxiety disorder treatment plans look closely at these symptoms to make sure they cannot be attributed to other health conditions. There are medications available that will help the patient to relax and focus more closely on what is happening around them. Each person’s symptoms will be different, depending on their level of anxiety and how they cope during a stressful event. Some people have learned on their own how to recognize their triggers and handle them accordingly. Others find it more difficult and must rely on medications and counseling.

Common Treatment Options

Once the symptoms have been identified and an anxiety disorder treatment plan is being developed, the doctor will look at factors in the person’s life that may affect their level of anxiety. Medications like Xanax can reduce a person’s stress levels if they know they are going to be in a situation that is likely to trigger a flare-up. Some people take the medication on a regular basis due to health conditions that can act as a natural trigger. Along with the use of medications, a counselor may be needed to help the patient work through conditions or events they have going on in their lives that can lead to bouts of anxiety or stress. Counselors can help the patient make positive lifestyle changes that can reduce the stress and frustration that many feel due to school, work, or raising a family.

Learning to Live Without Fear

Patients who are diagnosed with anxiety disorders or panic attacks may find it extremely difficult to let go of the fears they have that are associated with different situations. With the counselor’s help and the use of medication to maintain a level of balance when it comes to stress, the patient’s anxiety disorder treatment plan may actually help them learn to live without fear. Doctors can help control the symptoms through medication, but the patient will have to work on how they perceive stress and to what degree they let it control them. The counselor can offer valid options that will help them prioritize events and rate them according to a scale. This will help the patient work through the anxiety they may feel and give them an opportunity to begin to take control of their lives.

Anxiety disorders and panic attacks do not have to force a person into a life of isolation and confinement. Once they begin to identify their symptoms and learn what triggers cause their flare-ups, they will be better able to cope with the distress. As they begin to work through the process, they will gradually begin to notice they are more in control of their world and will allow them to move forward.

His House Rehab offers industry-leading Anxiety Disorder Treatment Programs. We were founded in 1994 and we base our Drug and Alcohol Treatment programs on five key principles: commitment, honesty, integrity, respect, and service. These five principles guide us in all that we do and all the care we provide. Contact us today to see how we can help you or your loved one.