Anxiety is one of society’s most common mental health issues. One-third of all adults experience anxiety to some degree, with women being twice as likely as men to be afflicted. Specifically, the UK has one of the highest rates of mental illnesses and anxiety disorders in Europe, affecting over one in four people.

Anxiety can take many forms, including generalised anxiety, panic attacks, and separation anxiety disorder, to name a few. If you or someone in your family is suffering from any of these conditions, finding the appropriate treatment as soon as possible is important.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety can be a difficult and overwhelming feeling. It is often experienced as an unpleasant sensation in the body, such as tightness of the chest or stomach. It can also cause physical symptoms like nausea, weakness, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. 

Although anxiety is a debilitating and serious condition that affects major areas of daily living, it can be managed successfully using a wide range of effective treatments.

Anxiety is a feeling that results from our body’s natural fight-or-flight response to danger or stress. When we are anxious, we release adrenaline and other hormones that act as natural stimulants. Over time, these chemicals can start to wear our system down, leading to further signs of anxiety, such as trouble concentrating or sleeping problems. These physical and psychological symptoms may interfere with a person’s ability to live a functional life. 

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Understanding Anxiety Attacks

An anxiety attack usually involves fear or worry about a specific event or issue that may occur. It’s normal to experience anxiety attacks from time to time. These attacks can come with physical symptoms like a fast heartbeat, shaking, feeling cold, or sweating.

During an anxiety attack, we typically respond in a way that helps us cope. However, some individuals may experience ongoing and intense anxious thoughts and feelings about various issues, which can disrupt their daily lives. In such cases, anxiety may become excessive and can be classified as a mental disorder.

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Types of Anxiety Disorders

Many people experience anxiety disorders, but not everyone knows the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. These disorders are classified as mental health conditions that cause excessive worry and fear in response to everyday situations and come in many different shapes and forms. Here are some common types and symptoms of anxiety:

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

It involves intense worry and anxiety lasting for at least six months about different life areas like family, health, and work. This can lead to feelings of restlessness, tiredness, trouble focusing, irritability, muscle tightness, and sleep issues. These symptoms can significantly affect daily life and functioning.

Panic Disorder

This condition is marked by repeated and sudden panic attacks. After experiencing at least one attack, there is often ongoing worry about having more attacks or noticeable changes in behaviour. Physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart, sweating, shaking, chest discomfort, and feeling sick, are also common.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

It is a mental health condition marked by intense and unreasonable fear or anxiety about being away from loved ones. This can include fears of losing important people, not wanting to leave home due to fear of separation, or having nightmares about being apart. The feelings of fear, anxiety, and avoidance are ongoing, lasting at least four weeks in children and teens and six months or longer in adults.

Social Anxiety Disorder

People with social anxiety disorder feel fear and worry about social situations where they might be judged or watched. This can happen during conversations, meeting new people, speaking in public, or even when they are seen eating or drinking. They often worry that they will behave in a way that others will view negatively or that their anxiety will be obvious. For a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder, these feelings must last for over six months and significantly affect the person’s social life, work, or school performance.

Specific Phobia

It is a mental health issue characterised by intense fear or anxiety related to a particular object or situation. Common examples include fear of flying, animals, heights, or getting shots. When faced with these fears, people usually experience immediate anxiety or fear. These feelings often persist for six months or longer, leading to considerable distress or difficulties in daily life.

Anxiety treatment centres in the UK, like PROMIS, can provide you with personalised treatment, the knowledge, and the tools to manage these disorders effectively.

Risk Factors Of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorder does not stem from a single cause. Rather, it is the result of a combination of various factors that contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to developing such a disorder. Some of these factors include:

Genetic Factors

Research indicates that people suffering from anxiety disorders often experience issues associated with certain brain neurotransmitters, including serotonin and norepinephrine. Additionally, individuals with a familial background of anxiety and similar disorders are at a higher risk of developing anxiety disorders themselves.

Environmental Factors

Major life changes, including relationship issues and divorce, the loss of a loved one, or experiences of trauma, can also trigger anxiety.

Psychological Factors

People exhibiting specific personality traits and temperaments, including perfectionism, pessimism, and heightened sensitivity, are frequently found among those diagnosed with anxiety disorders.

We offer a wide range of mental health programmes to suit everyone’s needs. This includes counselling for depression or anxiety, a 24-hour telephone helpline, and a range of workshops.

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Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is one of the leading treatments for anxiety disorders, particularly phobias. It works well for people who are afraid of certain things, such as animals or heights. Avoiding these fears can make anxiety worse and limit life experiences. In exposure therapy, people with anxiety disorders confront their fears step by step but in a safe environment. In a controlled setting, patients slowly get closer to the things they used to avoid.

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Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is one of the leading treatments for anxiety disorders, particularly phobias. It works well for people who are afraid of certain things, such as animals or heights. Avoiding these fears can make anxiety worse and limit life experiences. In exposure therapy, people with anxiety disorders confront their fears step by step but in a safe environment. In a controlled setting, patients slowly get closer to the things they used to avoid.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that operates on the principle that an individual’s thought processes significantly influence their emotions and actions. Similar to effective psychotherapeutic approaches, CBT can modify brain function—it reshapes neural pathways, transforming the connections within the brain that govern thoughts and behaviours.

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Medication 

If therapy does not work on its own, healthcare providers might suggest medication to help with anxiety symptoms and speed up your recovery. Usually, antidepressants like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat anxiety because they are effective, have fewer side effects, and lower the risk of addiction. These medications help by preventing the reabsorption of serotonin, which raises its levels in the brain and helps relieve symptoms. Finding the right medication to reduce the symptoms of anxiety is an important part of the treatment process.

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Residential Treatment

Residential or inpatient anxiety treatment is a focused approach if you are facing intense anxiety that significantly affects your daily life. This type of treatment requires you to stay at our centre for a certain time, where you will receive thorough and organised care to tackle your anxiety symptoms. The main goals of inpatient treatment for anxiety are to provide you with a safe and supportive environment that encourages your recovery and to teach you the skills and strategies you need to handle your feelings of anxiety successfully.

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Get Your Anxiety Treated at PROMIS

If you feel anxious or experiencing panic attacks, don’t suffer in silence – contact PROMIS for mental health treatment. 

We provide ongoing support for anxiety and offer a wide range of treatment options; with over 25 years of experience, we have become one of the leading UK rehab centres that specialise not only in depression and anxiety but also in other mental health conditions and addictions.

Consider getting in touch with our team of mental health professionals so we can create a personalised treatment plan that works for you. 

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