There are probably many times that you’ll experience temporary negative emotions. For example, it’s natural to be frustrated when you have a high electric bill, or sad when you’re unable to visit a loved one for a special occasion.
While it’s possible to experience temporary anxiety every now and then, an anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that can affect your productivity, relationships and sense of self. Anxiety disorders are common and treatable. Symptoms can persist or recur, but many people improve with treatment. It’s considered a chronic, lifelong condition for many people; however, effective treatment can help you manage your symptoms for long-term improvement.
Read on to learn about the prevalence and time frame of anxiety disorder symptoms. Then we’ll discuss treatments, many of which we offer at Guidelight Health, that can help you move along your mental health journey by taking control over your anxiety disorder.
What to know about how long your anxiety disorder symptoms may last
Having an anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder, can affect your quality of life if the symptoms are left untreated. The overwhelming worrying thoughts and fear of uncertainty can make it difficult to try new things or look forward to the future. However, even though anxiety disorder doesn’t often go away completely, the symptoms can ebb and flow over time.
Symptoms of an anxiety disorder can often be triggered by specific situations or events. For example, if you have GAD, you may experience a heightened sense of concern if you have an upcoming job interview. If you have social anxiety disorder, your symptoms are likely to intensify if you have to make a presentation in front of a crowd. It’s also important to note that anxiety can arise in response to a perceived threat, even if that threat isn’t actually dangerous.
The duration of anxiety disorder symptoms may be impacted based on:
- Severity
- Type of treatment
- Environmental triggers
- Co-occurring conditions
Some anxiety disorder diagnoses, including generalized anxiety disorder, require excessive worry on most days for at least six months about a variety of situations.
How to reduce anxiety disorder symptoms over time
Even though some anxiety disorder symptoms may improve over time as the perceived threats pass, treatment is essential for long-term results. Here are a few ways to take control of your anxiety disorder for improved mental, emotional and behavioral health:
Lifestyle adjustments
Some of the first steps toward managing anxiety disorder symptoms is making changes in your everyday life. By creating habits that you can keep for years to come, you may experience fewer symptoms. A few lifestyle adjustments that can help reduce your anxiety disorder symptoms include:
- Regular self-care (e.g., hobbies, opening up to loved ones)
- Seven to nine hours of sleep
- 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week
- Eating nutritious, well-balanced meals
Medication
If you’re experiencing significant anxiety symptoms that are interfering with your mental well-being or you’re having trouble managing them on your own, you may be prescribed medication by your physician or psychiatrist.
Common medications for anxiety include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to increase serotonin levels in the brain, which impact mood regulation. Some disorders, such as panic disorder, may benefit from benzodiazepines in addition to SSRIs or as a short-term treatment.
Psychotherapy
One of the most effective courses of action for reducing anxiety disorder symptoms is talking to a therapist. By opening up about your experiences with anxiety, and what may contribute to your symptoms, you can learn how to manage them and build skills that will help you far into the future.
Guidelight can help you manage your anxiety disorder with intensive support
Even though anxiety disorders are usually long-term for many people, that doesn’t mean you have to just sit and live with the symptoms. If you’re taking steps to improve your symptoms, such as medication and outpatient therapy, but you need a bit more intensive support, that’s OK.
At Guidelight, we can help you take control of your anxiety when you need more than outpatient therapy through our three levels of care:
- Intensive Outpatient Program in English and Spanish (IOP)
- Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP)
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Through a combination of group therapy, individual therapy and medication management, our team of licensed clinicians can help you reduce your anxiety and work toward the best version of yourself.
Everyone has a seat at Guidelight. Contact our team online or call us today for more information about anxiety disorder symptoms or to schedule an initial evaluation. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our local clinics.