Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety Disorder is a kind of mental health condition. Patients suffering from anxiety disorder approach every situation with fear and an assumption of the worst.
About 4%
of the world’s population suffers from an anxiety disorder at any given time. Over a lifetime, the number is significantly higher.
3-5%
of adults in India have an anxiety disorder
54 %
recover from symptoms of anxiety and/or depression within a year
25+
Professionals Specializing in Anxiety Treatment
Introduction
Regular nervousness in life is normal, however, patients are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder when it interferes with their routine and responses to situations are beyond control. Patients cannot help but blow a situation out of proportion.
Types of Anxiety Disorder
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Patients suffering from generalised anxiety disorder experience excessive worry for months together. They are restless, fatigued, irritable, have muscle tension and are even sleep deprived.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder causes sudden and repeated panic attacks. Patients experience intense physical symptoms like chest pain, breathlessness and sweating when they face some kind of fear.
Phobia-Related Disorder
Phobias are intense, irrational fears of any specific object or situations. Patients are diagnosed with phobia of height, abstract ideas like death, closed spaces and so on. People tend to avoid triggers and feel immediate anxiety. This kind of an anxiety disorder impairs the daily functioning of an individual making him or her incompetent at school or at work.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder causes extreme fear of social situations. Patients constantly worry about embarrassment and judgment by others at formal meetings, family functions and even informal get-togethers. The disorder severely impacts work and relationships.
Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
Patients suffering from anxiety disorder often exhibit the following symptoms in childhood, generally in childhood. Women are more likely to be affected than men. Other common symptoms are:
- Anxiety disorder involves excessive fear about certain events or situations. However, generalised anxiety disorder involves worrying about routine tasks.
- People who feel anxious in large gatherings tend to avoid people. If the behaviour lasts more than a few weeks or months, seeking professional help is recommended.
- Declining concentration levels at work, constant irritability and restlessness are some of the most common symptoms among people in the initial stages.
- Patients in advanced stages of Anxiety disorder exhibit physiological symptoms. They suffer from heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, insomnia and a constant sense of doom.
- Patients who suffer from anxiety are at a higher risk of committing suicide, panic attacks, and even misusing substances.
- Anxiety disorder can also stem from a combination of psychological, biological and social factors. Genes play a crucial role.
- Traumatic events can have a deep impact on a person’s psychological health. People who have suffered from a life-threatening event or have lost a loved one are more privy to anxiety disorder.
Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Treatment Medication
Antidepressants are often prescribed for treating anxiety disorder. SSRIs and SNRIs are the 2 most prescribed medications for anxiety disorder.
Depending on the kind of comorbidities a patient is suffering from, therapists also prescribe benzodiazepines and beta-blockers to treat physical symptoms manifested by anxiety.
By working closely with medical health professionals, mental health experts prescribe medications that do not cause dependence and have minimum side effects as patients could be on medication for other ailments.
Psychotherapy
Behaviour Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the best technique under the best treatment for anxiety disorder. CBT helps patients manage their distressing experiences and develop independent coping strategies.
Exposure Therapy
Therapists administer exposure therapy to patients by exposing them to triggers in a safe environment. A simple and predictable event is presented to a patient but one that
Rehabilitation Care
Rehabilitation care in India includes structured outpatient and inpatient programs. Symptoms of patients are studied repeatedly.
Patients are then provided with supervised and multidisciplinary care. Rehabilitation programs are always conducted offline and patients are strongly recommended to opt for residential programs.
The family is involved in the process and circumstances are understood.
Supportive Intervention
The medical health professionals provide a safe environment to the patient. The purpose of this step is to allow a patient to train himself or herself manage respective routines independently.
Therapists recommend following proper breathing techniques. Patients are educated about muscle relaxation and techniques to work on different muscle groups to release tension.
Patients are made aware about some of the simplest activities. The following activities for effective for a patient suffering from anxiety in case there is a sudden attack:
- Humming or slow singing.
- Engaging all the 5 senses simultaneously.
- Giving yourself a cold shock to slow down the pace of thoughts.
- Going outside for a walk.
Aftercare and Relapse Prevention
A comprehensive anxiety disorder treatment includes community-based support services. By conversing with patients suffering from the same disorder, a patient gains functional ability, which helps him or her manage triggers independently.
Therapists conduct scheduled and unscheduled clinical reviews to monitor symptom trajectory. Mental health experts identify early signs of functional decline. Therefore, timely therapeutic modifications are introduced before a patient’s condition worsens.
Timely risk assessment, latest psychoeducation, and collaborative care planning remain central to the treatment. Long-term recovery of the patient is focused upon, even if it takes admitting the patient to the facility for a routine check-up.
Treatment Pathway
Stage | What Happens |
Assessment | Patient behaviour is assessed to learn the extent of anxiety disorder the patient is suffering from. Therapists identify the causes of anxiety disorder and identify the triggers. The patient’s personal life is assessed to understand his or her circumstances. |
Stabilisation | Psychotherapy is initiated by mental health professionals. The aim is to minimise the recurrence of episodes and control the patient’s reactions to triggers. |
Active Phase | Regular therapy sessions are helpful and essential. Therapists keep a tab on proper medication intake. Patients and their families are counselled about anxiety disorder. They are informed that it is not a life-long disorder if managed well. |
Review | Progress is carefully monitored to learn if there are any early signs of relapse. Therapy of the patient is initiated and patients are introduced to various self-help support groups. |
Maintenance | Intermittent therapy sessions with the family ensure that the emotional well-being of the patient is going as planned. This step is essential to prevent the relapse or worsening of the original condition. |
Treatment Duration
- Initial improvement: Patients develop a general understanding of the condition in the first week. Patients are kept under supervision to control the frequency of anxiety attacks.
- Active treatment: This stage of the treatment lasts a few weeks to learn if the previous behaviours worsen. Patients are prescribed medication and therapy is initiated.
- Maintenance: Patients are under constant supervision though not necessarily offline. The aim is to ensure prevention of relapse of the previous condition and monitor the frequency of psychotic episodes. Patients are treated in a way that they are able to manage their condition independently.
- Rehab: Rehab is initiated in case the patients do not feel better within 30-180 days of completion of psychotherapy sessions. Therapists might re-start the therapy and even prescribe medication depending on the severity of the problem.
When Is Rehab Recommended?
Patients are recommended rehab under the following circumstances:
Impairment of Daily Functioning
Patients suffering from anxiety disorder are recommended for rehabilitation when they are no longer able to lead a normal life independently. In case the response to triggers is severe, patients must be admitted immediately.
Ineffective Outpatient Treatment Plan
Patients who opt for outpatient treatment plans or online treatment plans must opt for rehabilitation. Online therapy and medication are not the most effective options for every patient, therefore, to reduce exposure to triggers, staying in a rehabilitation centre for a longer period is recommended.
Severe Effect on Health Parameters
Patients suffering from anxiety disorder might also suffer from gastrointestinal issues, neurological problems and orthopaedic issues in the long run. Fatigue and insomnia are other problems that patients can be diagnosed with. Rehabilitation is highly recommended to these patients so that they can take care of their deteriorating physiological and mental health.
Substance Abuse
Patients addicted to substances are more prone to this mental health disorder than people who prefer to stay sober. Whether it is addiction to drugs or disorder, rehabilitation is highly recommended to people who are suffering from addiction and anxiety.
Isolation from Society
Certain times patients isolate themselves from the society completely to avoid triggers and situations that could initiate an anxiety attack. This is can be highly dangerous as patients could become suicidal in the long run and lose their socialising skills.
Start Treatment
Begin your treatment plan with a confidential consultation with the best therapist. Feel free to call us, message us on WhatsApp, or book an appointment online. You can even request a treatment plan via mail.
However, treatment plans depend on the condition of the patient. Medication and therapy are always provided under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional.
Call our 24-hour free confidential helpline.
Treatments
Got Questions About Our Treatment Programs?
Find answers to common questions about our treatment programs, admission process, and what to expect during your recovery journey
Is there any treatment without medication?
Yes. Initial stages of anxiety disorder can be managed without medication. However, the therapist might prescribe medication in case the disorder worsens. Not only is psychotherapy essential to maintain the emotional and intellectual well-being of a patient, it is also important to prevent relapse.
By what time is the improvement among patients noticeable?
Improvement is generally noticeable within the first 3 weeks once the medication starts. With therapy in itself, gradual progress appears over several months. Symptom management is effectively done over time and structured coping strategies are introduced for independent management of disorder.
What is the duration of the treatment for anxiety disorder?
The duration of the treatment depends on the severity of the disorder. While some patients require immediate medical intervention along with psychotherapy, others might oh need therapy in case it is the first stage of the treatment.
Is there any treatment plan available for full-time employees who cannot leave their jobs?
Yes. Once a patient is able to confirm that he feels anxious only once a while, therapists can arrange online therapy sessions with them. Intermittent sessions for the patients can be arranged. Therapists can also opt for an impromptu check on patients to confirm that the progress is linear.
Experts Who Will Guide Your Recovery
Dr. Prashant Dasud
Designation: M.D. (Psychiatry)
Experience: 14+
Illnesses:
Depression & Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia & Psychotic Disorders, OCD, Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Sleep Disorders
Geriatric Mental Health Issues
Dr. Santosh Pawar
Designation: M.D. (Radiodiagnosis)
Experience: 12+
Illnesses:
CT / MRI, Dementia & Memory Disorder, Neuro-radiological Evaluation, pine & Nerve Imaging,Head Injury & Neurological, Diagnostic Support for Mental Health
Dr. Neha Shetty
Designation: M.D. (Psychiatry)
Experience: 11+
Illnesses:
Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia & Psychosis, OCD, Drug Addiction,Mental Health Issues
