One in five adult Texans will experience a mental health concern at some point this year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Anxiety disorders are those most common in the country, encountered by around 40 million people.
Navigating treatment for anxiety disorder can be a lonely, confusing, and emotional experience for someone with an anxiety disorder or their loved ones.
You may be asking yourself the following questions:
“Is this really a thing?”
“Shouldn’t I just get over myself?”
“Isn’t it a sign of weakness to ask for help?”
But considering the millions who share this struggle, you are not alone.
For many people, anxiety can be expected during disruption at work, upcoming wedding or medical diagnosis. Stress is a part of life and can come with the positives life brings us (Hellooo, Baby!) and the more upsetting times (physical ailments, job loss).
Usually, the accompanying anxiety is temporary, incident related and eventually alleviated.
When the anxiety holds on for six months or longer and begins to affect your mental and physical well being, it might be time to look closer.
Do you or your loved one struggle with any of the following?
While there are multiple symptoms, there are also multiple types of anxiety. And it is possible to have several types, or even simply related to a medical condition. Some examples are social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, specific phobia and generalized anxiety disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If left untreated, an anxiety disorder can affect you or your loved one’s mental and physical quality of life.
Perhaps you visited your doctor complaining of frequent upset stomach and digestive issues. What your primary care doctor thought was irritable bowel syndrome could be anxiety rooted.
Does the closed bedroom door indicate loss of physical intimacy or chronic sleep issues?
If you’re in school or working, you might find yourself falling further behind deadlines. Declining a game night on occasion is one thing, but consistently not returning calls from friends might be a red flag to those around you that something’s different.
Alcohol or substance abuse might have been mistakenly turned toward as a coping skill. A depressed mental state or even thoughts of suicide might be mixing into thoughts more often.
When all of these thoughts are considered as a whole, a new picture of anxiety disorder may emerge.
Anxiety disorder affects everyone around the primary patient, according to medicalnewstoday.com.
Not knowing how to find help for someone can affect relationships and a partner might become more distant as a result. Children can see their caregiver’s struggle and may become more worrisome and withdrawn.
Increased irritability across the board can impact family units, and each person tries to find a way to “fix” things or get control of the quiet chaos that hides under the roof of what was once a safe, happy place to thrive.
Everyone involved can find hope knowing there are effective treatment strategies that will help gain a renewed peace of mind.
Our program uses evidence-based practices proven to be the most effective in treating mood and anxiety disorders.
These include a combination of psychopharmacology with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other strength-based interventions.
Our treatment team will work with you to determine which, if any, medication treatments may prove helpful in managing your symptoms. CBT is a leading therapy-based treatment that teaches patients how to achieve their goals and needs.
CBT changes thought, feelings, core beliefs and actions that drive the problems. It goes beyond medication to help you identify the negative thoughts that contribute to anxiety and your response in situations that can also add to anxiety.
Your team at SUN will teach you strength-based tools to equip you in neutralizing anxious thoughts. The program provides these treatments in a trauma-informed care environment with the core principles of safety, trustworthiness, empowerment, collaboration and choice driving all interactions.
SUN’s approach to treatment promotes you as the expert in your life, and your thoughts, feelings and needs.
To learn more about how we can help, call 713-796-2273.
You will receive an assessment from our multidisciplinary team led by psychiatrists and compassionate around-the-clock patient care. Other team members are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include general practitioners to consult on medical issues, therapists and activity specialists.
Other components include:
Your program will be held at our psychiatric hospital located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston. We see hundreds of patients a month and provide a full continuum of specialized care, including inpatient and day hospital services, for those suffering from mental health illness and substance use disorders.
It is important to remember there is no single cure for the complex emotional issues at the heart of mood and anxiety disorders, but we’ll help uncover and resolve the often longstanding psychological issues they can affect. SUN offers you a hopeful path to an improved quality of life
If you or someone you love is struggling, we can help. At SUN Behavioral, we’ve created a caring, healing environment and will be there for every step of your journey to recovery. Call us at 713-796-2273 to learn more!
Research has shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most widely-used therapy for anxiety disorders. This may also be coupled with medication for a strategic approach to treating patient symptoms. In addition, good nutrition and meditation strategies provide holistic guidance to gain a positive mental space.
Treatment is a process for anxiety. Anxiety can be managed through options such as cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, and holistic approaches. A patient will usually notice a difference in anxiety levels three to four months into a therapeutic approach.
Some quick approaches to reduce anxiety include: Breathing control--take deep, slow and steady breaths in, and gently exhale; Caffeine avoidance--caffeine can aggravate symptoms of anxiety; Overall nutrition and exercise--adding a few minutes to plan a well-balanced meal or going for a midday walk are good to build into your daily routine.
Anxiety typically presents itself in six different rationales:
The capable team at SUN Houston has been serving our community for years. Reach out to begin your journey to recovery.