Outpatient Anxiety Treatment

What Is Intensive Outpatient Therapy? Outpatient Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety Outpatient Program

There are a number of different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, various phobias, and others. No two treatment plans will look exactly the same, but in general, treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves some combination of medication and psychotherapy.  

Medications may include: 

• Benzodiazepines 
• Beta-blockers 
• Antidepressants 
• SSRIs
• SNRIs
• Other medications 

Therapies may include: 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to identify, understand, and change thinking and behavior patterns
• Exposure therapy (ET) to help reduce fear and anxiety responses
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to learn to live in the present moment and experience things without judgment
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to learn skills for tolerating distress and regulating emotions
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts

Some people are able to find the right combination of medication and therapies right away, but others have to try a few different combinations before they find the one that works best to relieve their symptoms. And while weekly therapy sessions have long been the standard, many people are finding that intensive outpatient program anxiety disorders or an intensive outpatient program for anxiety lead to significant symptom relief in a shorter period of time. 

Who Would Benefit From Intensive Outpatient Therapy? Anxiety Outpatient Treatment

The intensive outpatient program at A Center for Anxiety is perfect for individuals who need to make progress right away and have severe or complicated symptoms of anxiety, OCD, depression, and/or personality disorders. Patients can schedule a targeted intensive experience to hasten recovery with little disruption to regular life.

In addition, intensive outpatient therapy can be valuable for patients who:

• Have not responded sufficiently to weekly traditional therapy
• Need help for severe and complex mental health conditions but do not wish to pursue residential treatment
• Have busy work/travel schedules and find it more convenient to immerse themselves in intensive treatment
• Have a strong commitment to getting better quickly

Anxiety Signs and Symptoms

Excessive Worrying

One of the most common anxiety symptoms is excessive worrying. People with anxiety disorders will worry disproportionately about events or everyday situations. A doctor will diagnose someone with a generalized anxiety disorder if this worrying occurs on most days for at least 6 months and is difficult to control. The worrying must also be severe and intrusive, making it difficult to concentrate and accomplish daily tasks.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, generalized anxiety disorder affects around 6.8 million Americans, roughly 3.1 percent of the United States population. However, less than 45 percent of people with the disorder are receiving treatment. Women are also twice as likely to have a generalized anxiety disorder than men, and the disorder commonly occurs alongside major depression.

Feeling Agitated

When someone is feeling anxious, part of their sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive. This is one of the most common anxiety symptoms.

This kicks off effects throughout the body, such as:

• Racing pulse
• Sweaty palms
• Shaky hands
• Dry mouth

These anxiety symptoms occur because your brain believes you’ve sensed danger, and it’s preparing your body to react to the threat. Your body carries blood away from your digestive system and toward your muscles in case you need to run or fight. It also increases your heart rate and heightens your senses.

While these effects would be helpful in the case of a true threat, they can be debilitating if the fear is all in your head. Some research from 2014 even suggests that people with anxiety disorders are not able to reduce their arousal as quickly as people without anxiety disorders. This means they may feel the effects of anxiety for a longer period of time.

Restlessness

Restlessness is another of the most common anxiety symptoms, especially in children and teens. When someone is experiencing restlessness, they often describe it as feeling “on edge” or having an “uncomfortable urge to move.” While restlessness does not occur in all people with anxiety, it’s one of the signs doctors frequently look for when making a diagnosis.

Fatigue

Becoming easily fatigued is one of the potential anxiety symptoms. This symptom can be surprising to some, as anxiety is commonly associated with hyperactivity or arousal.

For some, fatigue can follow an anxiety attack, while others may feel fatigued almost all the time. It’s unclear whether this fatigue is due to other common anxiety symptoms, such as insomnia or muscle tension, or whether it may be related to the hormonal effects of chronic anxiety. It is important to note that fatigue can also be a sign of depression or other medical conditions, so fatigue alone is not enough to diagnose an anxiety disorder.

Difficulty Concentrating

Many people with anxiety report having difficulty concentrating. This is one of the most common anxiety symptoms. A study of 175 adults with generalized anxiety disorder found that almost 90 percent reported having difficulty concentrating. It also found that more intense anxiety was linked to more trouble concentrating.

Some studies show that anxiety can interrupt working memory, which is responsible for holding short-term information. This may help explain the dramatic decrease in performance people often experience during periods of high anxiety.

However, difficulty concentrating can also be a symptom of other medical conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or depression, so difficulty concentrating is not enough evidence to diagnose an anxiety disorder.

Outpatient Therapy for Anxiety: Anxiety IOP Structure

Individual Track

Extended sessions (1.5 to 3.0 hours) with one or more highly qualified therapists are part of the treatment. There is no minimum or maximum length of stay in the program; however, the average duration is two to three weeks. Each patient’s symptoms are specifically targeted by cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy during treatment sessions. In the treatment, it’s employed all available evidence-based therapeutic modalities.

Sessions take place both inside and outside of a center’s offices, in real-world circumstances. This gives patients the opportunity to use new skills right away and lays the groundwork for long-term progress. Additionally, outpatient centers work in tandem with family members as requested or suggested by patients, educating them about the therapeutic process and giving them suggestions for how to support the patient.

Group Track

Group therapy sessions focusing on CBT/DBT techniques are offered five days a week, from Monday through Friday, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm (90-minutes). Since groups meet every two weeks, patients are free to attend the IOP on any Monday they choose. The typical length of stay in the group track is two weeks, with a one-week minimum and no maximum.

Patients also receive up to an hour of case management, which they can use to discuss their post-IOP treatment needs with a member of the center’s team or to arrange care with their outside doctors. While participating in a group program, patients must also undergo individual psychotherapy.

Outpatient Anxiety Treatment Near Me – Anxiety Outpatient Programs Near Me

Looking for Outpatient Anxiety Treatment Near Me? Anxiety Treatment is often required for people who suffer from a generalized anxiety disorder. A condition that should not be taken lightly. We Level Up Treatment Center can provide you, or someone you love, the tools to treat anxiety with professional and safe care. Researching intensive outpatient anxiety program near me or intensive outpatient programs for depression and anxiety near me?

We do not offer outpatient care, only inpatient. Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counselors. We can inform you about this condition by giving you relevant information. Our specialists know what you are going through. Please know that each call is private and confidential.