Anxiety

blue wave separator graphic

Anxiety can happen to anyone at any time. Over 30% of adults in Massachusetts reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression last year. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the U.S., yet less than half of individuals seek treatment for their symptoms. East Point Behavioral Health in Massachusetts is committed to delivering high-quality, accessible care for individuals experiencing anxiety disorders. These disorders can seep into all aspects of life, complicating relationships and everyday functioning, but they can be managed with the right support.

Anxiety

blue wave separator graphic

Anxiety can happen to anyone at any time. Over 30% of adults in Massachusetts reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression last year. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the U.S., yet less than half of individuals seek treatment for their symptoms. East Point Behavioral Health in Massachusetts is committed to delivering high-quality, accessible care for individuals experiencing anxiety disorders. These disorders can seep into all aspects of life, complicating relationships and everyday functioning, but they can be managed with the right support.

What Is Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorders encompass a wide range of mental health conditions characterized by excessive, persistent, and often overwhelming feelings of worry, fear, or unease. While anxiety is a normal emotion, an anxiety disorder produces feelings that go beyond this, interfering significantly with daily life, affecting work, relationships, and overall well-being. In addition to emotional distress, anxiety can lead to physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances, which complicate everyday life.

There is no single cause of anxiety disorders. These conditions can be caused by a number of factors, such as genetics, brain chemistry, life experiences, and personality. Aside from the constant worry and fear these disorders create, they can also cause physical symptoms like muscle tension, sweating, and rapid heartbeat. In extreme cases, anxiety disorders can lead to self-harm or suicidal ideation.

Fortunately, there are treatment options available to help manage this condition. Effective treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), anti-anxiety medications, medication management, and substance use treatment. East Point Behavioral Health offers all of these treatments under one roof, allowing you to access a full spectrum of therapies to support your recovery.

Common Types of Anxiety Disorders

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of anxiety, it’s helpful to learn as much as possible about these disorders, including the symptoms they cause and their treatment options. Here are some of the most common anxiety disorders that East Point Behavioral Health treats:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized anxiety disorder involves chronic and excessive worry about a range of topics, such as health, work, family, and everyday situations. Symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, sleep disturbances, and constant worry. Living with generalized anxiety can be a long-term battle, and it can also occur alongside other mental disorders like phobias, PTSD, and OCD.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a mental disorder characterized by an intense and persistent fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated in social situations. People with social anxiety disorder often experience overwhelming worry about everyday social interactions, interfering with daily life, affecting work, school, and relationships. Avoidance behaviors, low self-esteem, intense worry, and physical symptoms are common.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is marked by sudden and intense episodes of fear, called panic attacks, that can happen unexpectedly. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, and feelings of impending doom. Understandably, panic attacks can exacerbate symptoms by causing individuals to develop a fear of having more attac.

What To Do When Experiencing Anxiety Disorder

Many people assume that anxiety is linked to stress, but anxiety disorders are mental health conditions that require specialized care and attention. Sometimes, people turn to drugs or alcohol to ease their symptoms, but this can be a dangerous slope that can lead to substance abuse. Seeking help early on allows you to treat the symptoms effectively so that they do not get progressively worse.

Here at East Point Behavioral Health, we offer various treatments to address anxiety disorders. Our treatment center in Massachusetts offers cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication management, individual therapy, and group therapy. The goals of these therapies are to help you understand your condition, what triggers your symptoms, and how to best manage your symptoms. This information empowers you to take charge of your recovery.

Effective Anxiety Treatment in Massachusetts

Anxiety disorders are treatable. Research proves this, and our own experiences with clients are positive as well. Two of the most effective therapies for treating anxiety are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. These therapies don’t just treat symptoms; they encourage you to work through the underlying causes of your anxiety.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a treatment that has a long track record of success. It’s a structured and empowering way to change your thoughts and move away from harmful behaviors and other issues that come from having anxiety.

CBT is rooted in the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are related. By identifying irrational thoughts and challenging them, people can change how they think and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Furthermore, CBT allows clients to confront their fears, anxieties, and worries head on so that they can be dealt with instead of pushed down, where it can resurface later on.

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is a therapeutic approach that gently exposes people to certain situations or stimuli that make them the most anxious. When these fears are confronted in a controlled situation with plenty of support, individuals learn how to manage their anxiety and become as desensitized to their triggers as possible.

For instance, your therapist may encourage you to gradually engage in social situations you typically avoid or to face specific fears in a controlled and supportive environment. Exposure therapy is especially effective for treating social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias. However, do not think that exposure therapy is pushing you into situations that you are not ready for. People are only exposed to their anxiety triggers in a safe and controlled manner where they feel comfortable.

Female psychologist talking to young man during session.
Psychotherapy session, woman talking to her psychologist in the studio
blue lighhouse

The Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Services for Anxiety

Intensive Outpatient Services (IOS) is one of your options for accessing treatment for anxiety. IOSs have a unique set of advantages that other treatments don’t have, especially for those who want the flexibility to live at home and stay closely connected to their support network. The benefits of seeking anxiety treatment at an IOS in Massachusetts includes:

Quick Access to Care

IOS offers quick access to specialized care. The sooner you seek help, the better outcome you will have, so it’s best to get started right away. Early intervention prevents symptoms from getting worse and leading to serious complications, such as substance use, self-harming behaviors, and panic attacks.
Our IOS in Massachusetts is flexible, allowing you to work, go to school, and maintain your responsibilities at home. Other types of care require you to reside at the facility for several weeks or months, but not everyone is in a position to do this. With IOS, you get a sense of normalcy and continuity while receiving treatment for your symptoms.
East Point Behavioral Health offers comprehensive care for all types of anxiety disorders. As a client of ours, you will have access to a wide range of therapeutic interventions, such as CBT, medication management, and talk therapy. All therapies and treatments are delivered in a supportive environment with well-trained staff.
An IOP considers the unique needs of each client. Just because two people have anxiety does not mean that these conditions present themselves in the same way. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your unique needs and treatment goals. Your plan will also be adaptable, allowing your care team to adjust your plan as needed based on your progress.
East Point Behavioral Health looks at the whole person, which is why holistic care is incorporated into our treatment plans. When all parts are healed—mind, body, and spirit—you become a stronger and more resilient individual who can handle stress in a healthier way.

Can Anxiety Treatment Help Me?

East Point Behavioral Health provides intensive outpatient care to adults 18 and over. We commonly come across anxiety disorders, as they are the most common mental disorders and often co-occur with other conditions.

Anxiety affects people from all walks of life and doesn’t discriminate based on age, gender, or socioeconomic status. If you or a loved one is experiencing anxiety, you can benefit from seeking support. There is no need to qualify in a traditional sense, as anyone who wants to feel better can.

Whether you’re dealing with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, we can help. Our qualified professionals are equipped to meet your needs and determine the best course of action, exploring every avenue so that no stone is left unturned. Your decision to seek help is a courageous one.

Smiling man in therapy session
blue lighhouse

Connect with Our Anxiety Treatment Program in Massachusetts

Don’t delay in seeking treatment for your anxiety symptoms. Even though anxiety is a normal emotion, it shouldn’t interfere with your daily functioning. East Point Behavioral Health is here to guide you through the various treatment options, ensuring your treatment plan is tailored to your needs and giving you the results you are looking for. Your mental health is your biggest priority, so make sure that you treat it as such. Contact us today to discover the ways that we can help you live your best life.