Anxiety : An American Pandemic Christian Health Details Causes and Treatments
At Christian Health , anxiety disorders are treated acrossits continuum of mental-health care , fromoutpatient counseling for all ages , to partialhospitalization and intensive outpatient program for adults , to inpatient hospitalfor adults and seniors .
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COVID-19 has changed our lives . Forsome , the pandemic and resulting changes caused concern and disruption . Forothers , the illness and modifications to normal routines resulted in significantstress and anxiety . Consequently , the numberof individuals seeking mentalhealth treatment is on the rise . Anxiety disordersare the most common mental illness in the United States , affecting 40 million adults age 18 and older , and 2.6 million children and adolescents . “ Anxiety occurs naturally , but for those suffering from an anxiety disorder , it causes excessive nervousness , fear , apprehension and worry ,” says psychiatrist Aijax Nanjiani , MD , ChristianHealth MedicalStaff President .“ Anxiety disorders alter emotions and behaviors , and seriously affect day-to-day living .” Several anxiety disorders exist , including : � Generalized anxietydisorder involves persistent and excessive anxietyaboutoftenordinary , routine circumstances . The worry is out of proportion to the actual event or activity and difficult to control . It often occurs in conjunction with other anxiety disordersordepression .
� Panic disorder encompasses repeated , sudden episodes of intense anxiety and fear that reacha peak within minutes . The resulting panic attackmay prompt feelings of impending doom , shortness of breath , chest pain , or heart palpitations .
� Agoraphobiacauses an individual to fear and avoid places or situations that might cause panic . Feeling helpless , embarrassed , and trappedare common .
� Separation-anxiety disorder in achild results in anxiety that is excessive for the his / her developmental level .
� Social-anxiety disorder causes anxiety , fear and avoidance of social situations due to feelings of embarrassment , self-consciousness , and concern about being judged or viewednegatively by others . Social-media anxiety is asubset of social-anxiety disorder . Causes of anxiety disorders vary . “ Anxiety disorders can be caused by a medical
condition , like heartdisease , diabetes or thyroid or respiratory issues ; certain medications ; or a traumatic life event ,” says psychiatrist Adnan Khan , MD , Vice President of ChristianHealth ’ s Medical Staff and Medical Director of Gracepoint , Christian Health ’ s partial-hospitalization and intensive outpatientprogram .“ Illness , personality , afamily historyof anxiety disorders , and drug and alcohol use place individuals at an increased risk of developing an anxiety disorder . Amongchildren and teens , socialand academic pressures cause high levels of anxiety .”
Anxiety disorders can have physical , psychological and behavioral symptoms . Physical symptoms include rapid heartrate , dizziness , stomachpain , nausea , muscle aches and sleepdisturbances . Psychological symptomsinclude racingthoughts , unrealistic fears and worries , and anger . Behavioral symptoms include distress in social situations , obsessive / compulsive actions and an increase in alcoholand / ordrugabuse .
When anxiety impedes daily functioning , professional intervention maybenecessary .
“ Treatment for anxiety disorders can include avariety of therapies , suchascognitive-behavioral therapy , psychotherapy , and group therapy . Medication maybenecessary , aswell ,” says psychiatristMohamedElrafei , MD , MedicalDirector of Ramapo Ridge Behavioral Health hospital at Christian Health . “ At Christian Health , anxiety disorders are treated across our continuum of mental-health care , from our outpatientcounseling for all ages , to our partial-hospitalization and intensive outpatient programfor adults , to our inpatient hospital foradults and seniors . When requested , faith is integrated into treatment .” Christian Health has been caring for the mental-health needs of the community for 110 years . It was founded in 1911 asNew Jersey ’ s first private psychiatric hospital . Today , in addition to mental-health services and programs , Christian Health offers afull continuum of senior-lifeand short-term rehab programs , services , and residences . For more information , call our Mental Health Central Access Department at 201-848-5500 or visit ChristianHealthNJ . org .
Call 201-848-5500 or visit ChristianHealthNJ . org for more information .
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