Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, are some of the most prevalent mental health conditions. Sadly, misconceptions circulate among patients, families, and even the medical community about sources, symptoms, and treatments.
Let’s talk about 12 most common misconceptions mental healthcare providers see and where you can go for comprehensive mental healthcare in Sandy Springs, GA.
1. Anxiety Always Causes Fainting, Anger, or Other Extreme Emotions
While this may be true in some cases, anxiety symptoms can lie beneath the surface of someone’s expressive personality. For instance, heart palpitations known only to the patient may indicate a panic disorder, while people with OCD may appear normal but they quietly perform rituals to quell their anxious thoughts.
2. Anxiety is a Personality Defect
In fact, anxiety is a true medical condition that may be related to hormone imbalances, heredity, exposure to trauma, gender, and more. People are not born with anxiety like they are predisposed to being introverted or extroverted. Rather, anxiety is a mental health condition that develops and is treatable.
3. Avoiding Caffeine and Other Stimulants Always Quells Anxiety
While healthy nutrition, avoidance of sugar and caffeine, and other dietary changes can help relieve some anxiety symptoms, this strategy alone will not give consistent relief. Rather, multi-pronged and holistic (body, mind, and spirit) approaches to symptom management work best for most people.
4. Friends and Loved Ones Should Always Accommodate the Anxious Person’s Moods and Behaviors
In fact, significant others must be empathetic and help the individual face his or her fears and develop real coping strategies.
5. Childhood Plays a Significant Role in Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Past experiences may amplify GAD and other anxiety disorders; however, delving profoundly and consistently into past hurts, especially regarding childhood, often leaves anxiety patients with feelings of victim hood and continued helplessness.
6. Anxiety Never Goes Away
While the tendency to become anxious never truly resolves anxiety disorders, and their symptoms can be successfully managed. The best mental health counselors work with their patients to develop long-term coping strategies which achieve mental health wellness and function.
7. Cognitive Behavior Therapy Cannot Help Anxiety
In fact, CBT, meditation, and other practices help people focus on their strengths rather than on what has happened or may happen to them.
8. All Anxiety Medications Are Addictive
In fact, SSRIs and many other anxiety medications, such as beta-blockers, are not addictive. Plus, many naturopathic supplements are useful in controlling anxiety. These also are not addictive.
9. Avoiding Stressful Situations Remedies Anxiety
In fact, avoiding what makes someone feel panicky or nervous may only perpetuate those feelings. Instead, it’s more therapeutic to push through the anxious feelings (they really won’t kill you) and develop an increasing sense of self-confidence.
10. Mental Health Providers Will Talk You Into Feeling Crazy
In fact, a well-trained, experienced and empathetic provider will review your symptoms and concerns carefully and consider a number of factors before making a diagnosis and treatment plan.
11. How Much You Sleep Has No Impact on Your Anxiety Level.
Sleep patterns can change how anxious or calm you feel. It’s important to get sufficient sleep but also to have regular bedtimes and a quiet, calm sleep environment so your brain and body canhave a chance to rest and reset for the next day.
12. Alcohol Helps Anxiety
A beer or a glass of wine may temporarily fix the feelings of anxiety. However, people often indulge in more and more alcohol rather than exploring the underlying causes and lasting solutions for their anxiety disorders.
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders and Other Mental Health Conditions
At Tremedy in Sandy Springs, GA, our providers will work with you to uncover why you feel anxious and to develop solutions and management skills thatreally work. If you think you may have an anxiety disorder, consider our holistic and integrative approach to wellness.
To know more about our comprehensive services, call us todayat (404) 990-4598, or request an appointment online.