HealthStar Home Health is presenting a series on various mental health and behavioral health topics. In this series of articles, we take a look at different subjects and provide information to help you know how best to care for your loved one.
We’ve all been there before. Feeling anxious about a job interview or speaking in public. When facing a big decision regarding your children will make a parent worry and stress. Our children may have feelings of anxiety knowing finals are coming up. Even driving in heavy traffic or at night may cause some to have issues. All this is normal and everyone feels anxious now and then over certain situations. But anxiety disorders are more than the normal emotions of common anxiety. Anxiety disorders are a type of mental illness and a person living with one feels intense fear, distress and worry that is constant and overwhelming. Disabling, even.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are many different types of anxiety disorders and an individual can suffer from more than one type. Examples include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder – persistent, intense anxiety and worry about ordinary activities or events
- Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) – an extreme fear and avoidance of social situations which is caused by feelings of embarrassment or self-consciousness of being viewed negatively by others
- Agoraphobia – a individual fears, and often avoids, places which may cause feelings of panic, embarrassment or being trapped
- Separation anxiety disorder – a childhood disorder related to separation from parents or parental figure that causes excessive anxiety for the child’s developmental age
The National Alliance on Mental Illness report that anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the US, with an estimated 40 million adults (18%) suffering every day. In addition to that, 8% of children and teens report experiencing an anxiety disorder of one form or another.
Experts believe combined factors, such as genetics and brain or environmental changes, can trigger anxiety symptoms. Some families have higher than normal numbers of anxiety issues amongst relatives and studies support the evidence that anxiety disorders run in the family. Additionally, traumatic situations or events such as violence, abuse, illness, or death can be contributing factors and cause anxiety disorders. At HealthStar Home Health, our caregivers are educated in the various anxiety disorders as well as other mental and behavioral illnesses and offer support to families dealing with mental health disorders, whether it is an adult in the family, a senior loved one you are caring for, or children and teenagers, we have a program to help you.
Here at HealthStar Home Health, we serve individuals in our adult and children’s mental health programs that are suffering from depression, anxiety disorders, as well as other mental health issues. When serving individuals with severe anxiety, we understand that coping with this daily is difficult. If you need support, get it! Don’t be ashamed or afraid to ask for help. If we all do our part to remove the stigma associated with anxiety and any mental health illness, it will go a long way for those who suffer daily.
Symptoms of each type of disorder are unique, however there is one common thread with all and that is exaggerated and persistent fear in situations that are considered normal and should not be threatening. General symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Feelings of panic, fear, stress or uneasiness
- Sleep issues
- Sweaty palms
Just as the symptoms are unique to each type of anxiety disorder, treatment options are unique and distinct for each type also. Some common treatments available include medication, stress management or relaxation techniques, and support groups, counseling or psychotherapy to name a few. It is important to work closely with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that works best for your situation.
We invite you to learn more about the mental health services offered by HealthStar Home Health. Both our Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) and Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS) feature cultural sensitivity and are provided with empathy to the underserved members of the communities and regions we serve.
Our highly trained and culturally competent multi-disciplinary team of mental health professionals, practitioners and behavioral aides provide CTSS and ARMHS services in the home, school, and in the community.
HealthStar Home Health understands how overwhelming and challenging it can be to care for a loved one at home and also offer a variety of home health care services to help support your loved one to live a more independent and fulfilling life at home. To learn more about the various mental health and behavioral health topics being presented in this series, such as autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or seasonal affective disorder visit our blog.
With cultural care values as the foundation, our caregivers are able to provide quality service, delivering it with increased awareness and perspective. As we serve our clients and communities, we are motivated by our desire to bring services to everyone in need. Call us today at 651-633-7300 for more information or to schedule a no-charge consultation.