Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in the United States, affecting more than 18% of adults. Regardless of this prevalence, only 37% of those who are in the grips of an anxiety disorder seek help, despite the fact that there are effective treatments that can break the seemingly never-ending cycle of anxiety.
At The Green Room Psychological Services Inc., our highly trained mental health providers treat a wide range of mental disorders, ranging from depression to anxiety. As experts in the field of mental health, our team has a unique understanding of the effect that a problem like anxiety can have on your quality of life as it forces you into an existence that’s governed by worry, fear, and dread.
If you suffer from anxiety, here’s a look at when and why you should seek our help.
anxiety 101
Before we get into when your anxiety warrants our expert and compassionate care, let’s take a look at some of the more common anxiety disorders. The term “anxiety” includes a number of different disorders that include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorders
- Phobias
- Social anxiety disorder
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Agoraphobia
The most common form of anxiety is generalized anxiety disorder, which is a condition that puts your body in a near-constant state of fight-or-flight mode.
The fight-or-flight response is one that has served human beings well since the beginning of time. When you’re confronted by a dangerous or stressful situation, your body’s sympathetic nervous system kicks into gear to prepare you to either flee or confront the perceived threat. By releasing hormones into your system, namely adrenaline and noradrenaline, your nervous system prepares your body by increasing your:
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Respiratory rate
These physiological reactions are designed to give you the tools you need to handle the stress.
With a generalized anxiety disorder, your body spends too much time in a state of heightened alertness, which can exact a heavy toll on your mental and physical health.
when you should seek help
No matter what type of anxiety disorder you suffer from, the fact is that most of them imprison you in a world of irrational fear, where hope is all but gone and impending doom generally takes over.
While everyone experiences some degree of stress and anxiety, a disorder that merits treatment is one that:
- Interferes with work or personal relationships
- Causes sleep issues
- Affects your ability to concentrate
- Prevents you from doing the things you normally love
- Leads to self-loathing or a feeling of worthlessness
- Isolates you
- Causes you to have suicidal thoughts
In addition to these problems, anxiety disorders can lead to physical issues, such as digestive dysfunction, headaches, or chronic pain. When anxiety crosses over into your physical health, it becomes even more important that you seek our help.
The bottom line is that everyone experiences anxiety in their own way, and some level of anxiety, especially in today’s hectic world, is perfectly normal. But if you feel trapped by your anxiety disorder and find yourself in a state of excessive fear or worry more often than not, there’s much we can do to release you, allowing you to enjoy life once again.
treating anxiety
When it comes to treating anxiety disorders, we pride ourselves on offering knowledgeable and compassionate care that relies on the latest science and treatment modalities. Whether we help you control your condition through psychotherapy, medications, or behavioral techniques, the end result is that we’re able to help you gain the upper hand on your anxiety.
In doing this, we give you back control of your life with the tools you need to continue to keep your anxiety at bay.
Ultimately, if anxiety is hampering your ability to lead a happy, normal life, please contact our San Diego office so that we can get you started on an appropriate treatment plan. You can also use the online scheduling tool to set up an appointment.