Anxiety Disorders and Treatment Services at RWJBarnabas Health
In today’s world, just about everyone tends to experience some level of anxiety. A mix of factors, including our genes, environment, mental state, and life experiences, can often cause anxiety.
At RWJBarnabas Health, we understand that living with anxiety can be a daily challenge, affecting every aspect of life. We design our anxiety treatment services to provide comprehensive care and support to individuals dealing with various anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and more.
Around 40 million adults in the United States experience some form of anxiety. Our mission is to provide practical, personalized treatment plans that address both the symptoms and the root causes of anxiety.
Through the RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health services, patients suffering from a form of anxiety can seek the proper treatment necessary to gain a better quality of life.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or fear about an event or situation. It's a normal stress reaction. For example, you might feel anxious when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision. Anxiety can help us stay alert and focused, motivate us to solve problems, and even help us recognize dangerous situations.
However, when anxiety is constant or overwhelming — when it interferes with your daily activities—that's when it might be an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions. They can make it hard for people to get through their day or do things they enjoy. But the good news is that you can manage them effectively with the right help from health care professionals.
Types of Anxiety Disorders We Treat
We treat a wide range of anxiety conditions and offer specialized care for:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Sufferers can experience chronic and exaggerated worry and tension that seem to have no substantial cause. People with generalized anxiety disorder often worry excessively about health, money, family or work and continually anticipate disaster. People with this disorder usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants but cannot rid themselves of these irrational concerns.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Those with OCD may have unreasonable thoughts, fears or worries that they try to manage through a ritualized activity to reduce the anxiety. Frequently occurring disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions, and the rituals performed to try to prevent or dispel them are called compulsions.
- Panic disorders. these are chronic, repeated, and unexpected panic attacks — bouts of overwhelming fear of being in danger when there is no specific cause for the anxiety. In between panic attacks, people with panic disorder worry excessively about when and where the next attack may occur.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a condition that can be set into motion following a traumatic experience, whether a person has lived through the traumatic event or witnessed a life-threatening situation. PTSD was once referred to as battle fatigue syndrome or shell shock. It can have long-lasting effects on an individual.
- Social Anxiety Disorder. Social Anxiety Disorder, also known as social phobia, is a condition marked by intense fear and anxiety in social situations. Individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder often experience overwhelming worry and self-consciousness about everyday social interactions. This fear is driven by concerns of being judged, embarrassed, or negatively scrutinized by others.
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety can come from many different sources, including our family history, how our brain works, our life experiences and even our personalities. Here's a quick look at why some people might feel more anxious than others:
- Family history. Just like other traits, anxiety can be something that runs in families. But just because a family member has it doesn't mean you will, too — it just means you might have a higher chance.
- Brain chemistry. Some neural pathways are involved in fear and emotional regulation and malfunction, and the chemicals facilitating communication between nerve cells may also play a role. Imbalances in serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine levels can contribute to anxiety symptoms.
- Environment. Significant changes or tough times, like moving to a new place, losing someone close, or going through a divorce, can trigger anxiety. Even the stress from our childhood, like bullying, can affect how anxious we feel now.
- Medical conditions. Certain health issues, like problems with our heart or thyroid, can make us feel more anxious. Also, using substances like alcohol or caffeine can increase anxiety.
- Psychological factors. The way we think about and see the world can make us more prone to anxiety. If we often feel like situations are out of our control or dangerous, we might feel anxious more often.
Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety symptoms can vary widely among individuals but generally encompass a range of physical, emotional, and cognitive effects. These symptoms can be mild or severe and may significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. Here are some common symptoms of anxiety:
- Pounding heart
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath
- Frequent or persistent headaches
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Digestive or gastrointestinal problems
- Muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders
- Feelings of dread or impending doom
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Trouble focusing
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Excessive worry
- Fear of losing control or "going crazy"
- Indecisiveness
- Fear of rejection or being judged negatively by others
It's important to note that anxiety symptoms can also overlap with symptoms of other medical conditions, so it's essential to consult a health care professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Anxiety Diagnosis
Anxiety is diagnosed through a combination of methods, primarily focusing on medical history, symptoms, and, sometimes, physical exams to rule out other conditions that might mimic anxiety. Consult with a health care provider or a mental health professional if you suspect you have an anxiety disorder. Proper diagnosis is the first step towards managing anxiety effectively.
Anxiety Disorder Treatment
The two main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy and medications. Many benefit from a combination of the two. Discovering which treatments work best for you may take some trial and error. We offer a wide variety of treatment options, such as:
- Cognitive restructuring
- Experiential therapy (art, recreational)
- Personal wellness education
- Spiritual care
- Community meetings and outings
- Family therapy and education
Compassionate Care at RWJBarnabas Health
Through the RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health services, patients dealing with anxiety can seek the proper treatment necessary to gain a better quality of life. Take the first step towards a life with less anxiety — reach out today.
Call our Access Center, which offers 24-hour consultative mental health support. We can help you find the proper treatment close to home. Call 1-800-300-0628.