Regain control from anxiety and find lasting peace. Solara Mental Health delivers expert, evidence-based anxiety treatment and psychiatric care specifically designed for the needs of our nation’s veterans.
Anxiety, as described by the American Psychological Association, is “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.”
Occasional anxiety is a regular part of life. However, when feelings of anxiety become an everyday occurrence, it could become a mental health condition. People with anxiety disorders experience significant fear, nervousness, and worry in everyday situations. These feelings intrude on daily activities and cause a person to avoid essential life circumstances that trigger them.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorder in the US and affect over 40 million people (19.1%). They are especially common among veterans. According to the VA, there has been a 327% increase in anxiety disorders reported among the military between 2000 and 2012. The VA also found that 20% of veterans that served in Iraq and Afghanistan will experience acute anxiety, stress and/or depression.
Understanding Anxiety Disorders
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5) classifies anxiety disorders into different categories. These disorders are distinguished by the specific symptoms experienced, and it’s common for individuals to be diagnosed with more than one type.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
- Excessive worry about daily decisions
- Restlessness and irritability
- Feeling on edge or tense
- Dreading the worst case scenario
- Sweating, tremors, and twitching
- Heart racing and difficulty breathing
- Dizziness and nausea
Types of Anxiety Disorders
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): A common disorder characterized by long-lasting, pervasive anxiety not caused by anything specific.
- Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): An intense fear of social interaction and scrutiny, leading to avoidance of situations where one might be the center of attention, criticized, or embarrassed.
- Panic Disorder: A condition that produces sudden, intense episodes of physical anxiety known as panic attacks. These can involve chest pain, heart palpitations, and a false sense of reality.
- Agoraphobia: The fear and avoidance of situations that may be difficult to escape, such as being in crowds, on public transportation, or in elevators.
- Specific Phobias: Intense, irrational fears confined to singular objects or situations, often related to animals, insects, heights, water, or other natural phenomena.
- Separation Anxiety Disorder: An extreme and atypical fear of separation from an emotionally attached person, most commonly seen in children.
- Selective Mutism: A consistent failure to speak in situations where it is expected, such as school, even when the person speaks in other circumstances.
Note: While Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) was previously classified as an anxiety disorder, the DSM-5 now gives it a separate category. However, it shares many features with anxiety disorders.
Causes and Risk Factors
The causes of these disorders are complicated and unique to each individual. They are often progressing mental illnesses, especially when left untreated, and can stem from a singular severe experience or be the result of many over time.
Possible causes and risk factors for anxiety disorders include:
- Trauma and Stress: Environmental factors such as a traumatic event or recurring stressful situations can cause an anxiety response. This can result from combat exposure, social interactions, chronic illness, or financial worries.
- Genetics: A family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions can put you more at risk for developing an anxiety disorder.
- Personality: Certain personality traits, such as shyness, oversensitivity to criticism, a fixation on details, or moral rigidness, can make a person more susceptible to developing an anxiety disorder.
- Medical Conditions: Physical health issues, particularly chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, or respiratory problems, can cause stress that leads to anxiety.
- Drug and Substance Use: Illicit drugs, alcohol, and even certain prescribed medications can have side effects that lead to or worsen anxiety. Substances that contain caffeine or amphetamines are also known to cause anxiety in some individuals.
Our Approach to Treating Anxiety
Anxiety treatment plans must be customized to each veteran’ according to their disorder’s unique needs. At Solara, we help each individual work through their specific anxieties and create a plan to manage them in their day-to-day lives.
Our expert clinicians begin by compassionately working with veterans to understand the root cause of their anxiety and how it manifests. Together, clinicians and veterans collaborate to develop effective methods for responding to anxieties and triggers.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Individual psychotherapy is our first line of defense in anxiety treatment. Our clinicians use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), widely regarded as one of the most successful treatments for anxiety disorders. CBT is effective because it focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns, redirecting that energy into healthy, positive coping methods.
We also utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a form of CBT that improves how one communicates and manages emotions, as a crucial piece of our therapy program. This is often paired with psychodynamic therapy, an approach that allows veterans to explore their life experiences in depth to determine the roots of their anxieties and find a greater sense of peace.
Group Therapy
Support groups may sound daunting to many veterans with anxiety, especially social anxiety. To some, the whole concept of group therapy may even seem counter-productive to the mental health treatment process.
Those participating in our group therapy can be assured of a small, caring, judgment-free space where they can feel comfortable sharing their anxieties with people who understand their daily struggles. This sharing can be especially beneficial, allowing veterans to find ways to work through their social anxiety in a supportive environment.
Holistic Care
To help veterans manage the physical symptoms of anxiety, we take a holistic approach to healing. Our program integrates therapies like acupuncture, massage, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness as part of a regular treatment regimen. These therapies help veterans relax and reconnect with their bodies, fostering a sense of security and peace.
Medication Management
As needed, our psychiatric team can provide veterans with anti-anxiety medications for both chronic and acute symptoms. Psychotropic medications are always coupled with other treatments, like psychotherapy and group therapy, to provide a comprehensive care experience. Our team will thoughtfully prescribe the right medication and help each veteran find the best regimen for their unique needs.
ome medications used to manage anxiety include:
- Benzodiazepines: Effective for short-term relief but must be monitored carefully due to addiction potential.
- Antidepressants: Can indirectly treat anxiety by relieving associated distress.
- Tricyclics: An older class of drug that may be used if other medications are not effective.
- Beta-blockers: Primarily for heart conditions, they can also treat physical anxiety symptoms.
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): This class of drugs can be particularly useful for panic disorders and social phobias. However, they require careful management due to significant interactions with certain foods and medications.
- Buspirone: This non-addictive, anti-anxiety medication targets unbalanced brain chemistry to help a person think more clearly and worry less. It also requires monitoring for potential interactions with other medicines.
Solara doesn’t necessarily use medications as the first line of defense against anxiety unless a patient’s symptoms merit them.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
We are proud to offer Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a state-of-the-art technology for treating anxiety. TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic energy pulses to gently stimulate specific parts of the brain. A typical session lasts about 30 minutes. When performed by a professional and coupled with other forms of therapy, TMS can significantly improve mood and cognitive function.
Anxiety Treatment for Veterans at Solara
Solara Mental Health is focused on giving veterans a supportive and safe environment to recover. We recognize that each veteran has personal needs, and we customize every treatment plan to their specific diagnosis and symptoms.
Solara is a VA-contracted community care provider, which allows us to provide comprehensive, authorized care to veterans. We remove the logistical barriers to treatment so you can focus entirely on your recovery. Once treatment is authorized, we provide transportation, housing at our beautiful residential facility, and other accommodations. Veterans may remain in housing for as many weeks or months as the VA authorizes, ensuring they have the time and stability needed to heal.
At Solara Mental Health, we know how disruptive anxiety can be. It can alter entire worldviews and interrupt life’s goals. Our mission is to help veterans pinpoint the cause of their anxieties and manage them effectively to live fulfilling lives. Aided by the peaceful, upscale atmosphere our facilities provide, our expert clinicians are ready to help veterans with all their symptoms, both emotional and physical.
While our veterans make considerable and rapid improvements, we understand that anxiety is often a long-term condition. With years of experience, Solara Mental Health provides the entire spectrum of care from inpatient and transitional living to outpatient and continued aftercare to secure your long-term success.