When to Seek Residential Treatment for Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting more than 19% of the adult population. Anxiety can impact everyday life, making it difficult to carry out a range of routine tasks and deal with the demands of daily life. People who experience anxiety may avoid doing certain things to prevent making their symptoms worse or may struggle to complete various tasks. They can experience both psychological and physical symptoms caused by anxiety.

There are multiple treatment options for anxiety disorders, including prescribed medications and therapy. For some people, residential treatment can provide an intensive form of care that helps to treat anxiety when other treatment methods may have been ineffective.

Residential treatment isn't necessary for everyone who experiences anxiety. However, it could be the right choice for you. If other treatment methods have not been successful or anxiety is having a severe impact on your life, residential treatment can be an option to consider.

Understanding Anxiety Disorders

Several mental health conditions fall under the category of anxiety disorders. These include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder: An anxiety disorder defined by persistent or excessive worry that interferes with daily activities
• Panic disorder: A condition involving recurring panic attacks, which cause psychological and physical distress
• Social anxiety disorder: Anxiety resulting from social interactions, including the fear of being humiliated, rejected, or judged
• Separation anxiety disorder: A disorder that stems from the fear of being separated from someone a person is attached to

The symptoms of anxiety can be broad and varied, including both mental and physical reactions. Some of the psychological symptoms can include:

• A fight or flight reaction (which may also include responses such as freezing)
• Excessive fear, anxiety, or nerves
• Ongoing worry or tension

Although anxiety is a mental health condition, it often manifests in physiological ways. Physical symptoms of anxiety might include:

• Heart palpitations or chest pain
• Hyperventilation (breathing fast)
• Sweating
• Tension
• Tingling, pins and needles, or numbness
• Trembling or shaking

Seeking the proper treatment for anxiety disorders is essential to help those who experience them learn to manage and improve their symptoms. Appropriate treatment can help people with anxiety disorders cope better day-to-day.

Signs That Residential Treatment May Be Necessary

Residential treatment isn't necessary for everyone who has an anxiety disorder. However, there are several signs that it could be the appropriate option.

Some of the signs that residential treatment could be the right choice include:

• Outpatient treatment has been unsuccessful, and symptoms are still persistent and severe
• Impairment in daily functioning, including finding it hard to stay on top of work, relationships, and self-care
• A high risk of harm to oneself or others due to anxiety symptoms
• A history of treatment resistance or relapse

These factors make it more likely that residential treatment may not only be helpful but could be the best option for someone whose life is severely affected by the symptoms of an anxiety disorder.

Assessment and Evaluation Process

When considering residential treatment for an anxiety disorder, a comprehensive assessment by mental health professionals is essential. Experts will use their professional knowledge and experience to understand your history and current situation, determine whether residential treatment is suitable for your needs, and design a treatment program that could work for you.

Family members or loved ones can also be helpful in the evaluation process. They can provide more context and offer support during the assessment.

One of the most important reasons for this evaluation period is that it allows medical professionals to consider the individual's needs and treatment goals. Everyone is different, and no two people experience an anxiety disorder in precisely the same way.

Benefits of Residential Treatment for Anxiety

There are several benefits of residential treatment for anxiety. Residential treatment offers a structured environment where you can receive intensive therapeutic support. This allows you to completely focus on treatment while removing some of the stresses of everyday life. You receive 24/7 access to a team of mental health professionals who can deliver the treatment and support they need to improve their health.

Residential treatment focuses on evidence-based therapies tailored to your needs. It provides opportunities to build skills and equips you with relapse-prevention strategies to help prevent the need for further residential treatment in the future.

Peer support is another benefit of residential treatment for anxiety. Community reinforcement and the support of others receiving treatment for similar issues can give you the strength and understanding to work on yourself and support others.

Overcoming Barriers to Seeking Residential Treatment

Seeking residential treatment for anxiety can prove to be challenging. In some cases, this could be due to the stigma associated with residential care for mental health conditions. It can be challenging to admit that it is sometimes the best option, and there might be negative ideas concerning residential care.

It's important to recognize that there is nothing to be ashamed of and that choosing residential care doesn't indicate any weakness or failure. It is simply another form of treatment that can help people who need extra support.

Financial concerns can also prevent people from accessing residential treatment. For those with insurance, choosing an in-network treatment provider can ensure the cost of treatment is covered. Treatment providers like Jackson House can help you verify benefits and walk you through your insurance plan to determine the level of coverage available.

Find Out More from Jackson House

When you or a loved one are struggling to cope with an anxiety disorder, it's crucial to advocate for yourself or them and seek appropriate care. Residential treatment may be the best option for those who haven't found success with other treatments or who are experiencing a high level of disruption in their lives.

Contact Jackson House to learn more about whether residential treatment for anxiety can help.