Feeling stress or anxiety while in recovery is natural. This journey is new and can be overwhelming to some. However, this anxiety should decrease as the student becomes comfortable in their environment and new lifestyle. When this anxiety is persistent, or if the anxiety is pre-existing, it should be addressed. Learning how to manage anxiety is important for longevity in recovery and healing. It is important to understand where the anxiety is rooted and how the anxiety is affecting you on an individual level to address and heal from it properly.
At Clearview, all student health aspects are addressed and uncovered. The anxiety is taken into consideration when formulating a treatment program as well to address all aspects of one’s mental health and/or addiction.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal part of life for some when experienced occasionally, but an anxiety disorder goes beyond temporary stress, worry, or fear. It can even become worse over time, which is why it is important to seek help when anxiety persists. This disorder can greatly interfere with one’s life in different ways, whether it be work, school, or relationships. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobia-related disorders are examples of anxiety disorders that students may experience.
GAD is described as persistent anxiety or feelings of dread. Some signs and symptoms include restlessness or feeling on edge, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, aches or pains, sleep problems, and difficulty controlling worry. Panic disorder is defined as experiencing unexpected and frequent panic attacks, which bring intense fear, discomfort, and loss of control over oneself. Students may also experience a racing heart, excessive sweating, trembling, chest pain, and feelings of impending doom.
Social anxiety disorder leads to an intense and persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. These feelings often intensify in social situations, which can cause students to avoid social settings to avoid this anxiety. Some signs and symptoms of a social anxiety disorder include blushing, sweating, trembling, a racing heart, stomachaches, rigid posture, using a soft voice, trouble with eye contact, and feeling self-conscious. Some people experience phobia disorders. Phobia-related disorders are defined as when a person has excessive worry over a specific object or situation. Some examples of phobia-related disorders include flying, heights, specific animals, receiving injections, or blood.
When to Seek Help
As said before, anxiety disorders can greatly interfere with life and hobbies. When this becomes out of control to the extent of avoiding certain situations, things, or people, it is recommended to seek help by finding a mental health professional. Anxiety may be treated by cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, beta-blockers, support groups, and stress management techniques. This broad range of treatment options helps clients meet their needs differently.
How to Manage Anxiety Alongside Recovery
Because there is a broad range of treatments and therapies, there are ways to create treatment plans that address both anxiety and addiction recovery needs. However, it can feel very overwhelming when coping with co-occurring disorders.
Anxiety often presents itself once someone goes through the detoxification process. It is common when one experiences withdrawal symptoms. This is because the physical body is sent into almost a state of shock. When anxiety emerges, it is crucial for the staff to alter one’s treatment program and include services to address the anxiety at hand. This can be very important in terms of reducing the possibility of relapse.
Methods to Manage Anxiety With Clearview
At Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, anxiety is treated in many different ways. From mindfulness to therapy to exercise, the staff ensures that each student’s specific needs are addressed. CBT and other clinical and emotional therapies are most commonly used. CBT addresses one’s thought process to help the student understand how these patterns affect their behaviors. And potentially their recovery. When anxiety is present, students may have an exaggerated sense of reality, affecting their decision-making. CBT works through these thought patterns to produce productive thinking and healthier behavior.
Clinical therapies are not the only option, either. Mindfulness is a key part of treating anxiety that helps students ground themselves in the present moment and invite peace. Holistic services, such as equine therapy and art therapy, can be used to improve mindfulness. This process can take time, which is why it is important to have other methods of coping with anxiety, depending on the severity of the disorder.
Physical fitness can also support anxiety and stress. Clearview Horizon Girls Academy offers numerous types of exercise, including aerobics, self-defense, dance, and rock climbing. These movements help students see physical activity as fun and something they want to participate in. Students can release stress or tension in themselves by encouraging and creating healthy lifestyles through physical fitness.
At Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, we work to address all needs of our students. From mental health to addiction to co-occurring disorders, our services are meant to help all students. Anxiety, for instance, is a common disorder that many people cope with. For some students, anxiety can emerge when receiving treatment for other disorders. This is normal, as recovery is a very complex process that can become overwhelming at any point. We offer multiple therapies, from talk therapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy to mindfulness and a holistic approach to treatment. The combination of clinical and holistic helps students in both recovery from addiction and mental health. To learn more about anxiety and addiction recovery, please call us at 866-584-4788.
