General Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a type of psychiatric condition. These disorders are characterized by unusually intense or frequent anxiety that extends beyond everyday experiences. While all people experience anxiety to some degree, anxiety can be especially disruptive and harmful to people with anxiety disorders.

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Types and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

While all anxiety disorders share a core of anxiety, that anxiety presents in different ways depending on the specific disorder. To understand each anxiety disorder, it is helpful to learn its distinctive features. 

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): GAD is a common anxiety disorder. It is characterized by persistent, culturally inappropriate anxiety about everyday situations and events. People with GAD may feel on edge and irritable. Additionally, GAD can cause difficulties sleeping or trouble focusing.
  • Panic disorder: Panic attacks are periods of extreme, intensified anxiety over a shorter period. Panic disorder is categorized by a history of two or more panic attacks, as well as long-term changes in behavior or thoughts centered around these panic attacks.
  • Phobia disorders: Phobias are intense, irrational fears that are focused on a specific situation or object. The five categories of phobias include animal phobias, natural environment phobias (such as the ocean or heights), blood or injection phobias, situational phobias (such as closed spaces or driving in a car), and other phobias that do not fit in the other categories.
  • Social anxiety disorder: Previously classified as a type of phobia, social anxiety disorder now typically stands alone. It is characterized by anxiety in social interactions that interferes with one’s ability to live normally.
  • Agoraphobia: Agoraphobia is the fear of leaving your home, being in open or crowded spaces, or being somewhere where you can’t escape. Previously, experts categorized agoraphobia as part of panic disorder, but now believe it exists separately. Although agoraphobia is a phobia, it is listed separately due to its frequency.
  • Separation anxiety disorder: Separation anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by the fear of being separated from your home or loved ones. Separation anxiety disorder can occur at any point and is diagnosed when the anxiety is developmentally inappropriate. 
  • Selective mutism: Selective mutism is a psychiatric disorder where individuals lose their ability to speak in some social situations. Selective mutism begins in childhood and may continue into adulthood.

In addition, experts list several other kinds of anxiety disorders, primarily identified by their causes: substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder, anxiety due to another medical condition, other unspecified anxiety disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder.

Anxiety Disorder Statistics

Anxiety disorders are very common. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 19.1% of U.S. adults had an anxiety disorder in the past year. In total, 31.1% of U.S. adults will have an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. While most people with anxiety disorders are only mildly impaired, 33.7% of cases are moderate, and 22.8% are serious. 

Anxiety disorders appear to be both genetic and environmental. Childhood experiences can play a significant role in the development of an anxiety disorder.

Why Is Treating Anxiety Disorders Important?

Anxiety disorders are common and frequently serious. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle to attend work or school, complete daily tasks, or remain connected socially to others. All of these difficulties are often exacerbated by the social stigmas that people with anxiety disorders face. However, without treatment, anxiety disorders can worsen and often lead to a crisis. 

Treatment can help you, regardless of the type or severity of your anxiety. It’s never too late to heal.

What Makes Our Program Unique

Located in the College Area of San Diego, California, offers scientifically-backed, holistic care for those with anxiety disorders experiencing a crisis. Our Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) contains fewer than 16 beds, ensuring that we can offer premier care to each of our clients. While in treatment, we help you to learn effective coping techniques, create a plan for your future, and connect to your best self.

Getting Help At Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention

We know that no one’s life is simple. As such, the best treatment is multi-dimensional. Our CSU offers a variety of evidence-based treatment options for all of our clients. These options include: 

  • Medication management: Clients frequently enter our program with existing prescriptions. When this happens, our expert staff can help them to manage and maintain their medications.
  • Whole-person wellness: Each person has a set of unique circumstances that have shaped their life. At Alter San Diego Crisis Stabilization, we utilize whole-person, trauma-informed care. That means that we individualize all of our services to your needs and work with you to ensure that all of our needs are addressed.
  • Recovery and safety planning: Effective recovery plans must account for the future. While in treatment, our staff helps clients identify the tools and strategies they need to recover and be safe while they do it.
  • Support services: Our CSU treatment plan includes a variety of therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). 
  • Family and community support: Connections to family and community can provide the vital safety net that makes recovery possible. Our CSU program includes support in establishing new social connections and strengthening existing ones.
  • Nutrition and recreation services: We understand that it can be difficult to find time for nutrition and recreation while working through recovery. However, these details are vitally important. Our program provides tools and support to ensure every part of your health is considered.

No one should face a crisis alone. To speak with Alter San Diego Crisis Stabilization clinical staff member about a potential crisis, call us at (619) 457-4613.