For those struggling with anxiety, it can take control of your life without the proper treatment. Learning how to effectively manage anxiety will allow you to live a happy and productive life in the future. Anxiety is common in teenagers and most often comes in the form of social anxiety. Anxiety in teenagers can come alongside other mental health conditions or even co-occurring substance use disorders. There are many ways to combat anxiety, and an anxiety treatment program like the one at Imagine Omaha can help. Call on the treatment team at 888.306.2681 to find out more and help your teen get on the road to recovery.
Activities to Combat Anxiety
There are many activities that may be suggested to combat anxiety as part of an anxiety treatment program. These activities can be done independently or as part of group therapy. The idea is that patients can build a toolbox of coping techniques that they can take with them for self-care once they leave treatment.
Here are 6 activities to combat anxiety:
- Talking to someone about what’s giving you anxiety. Being silent and feeling like you can’t share how you are feeling only fosters further anxiety.
- Exercising regularly and eating healthy also keep your mental health in good shape by easing anxiety.
- Breathing exercises to promote mindfulness and feel more in control.
- Journaling to note patterns in one’s anxiety and make changes accordingly to avoid anxious episodes or panic attacks.
- Sharing how you are feeling and discussing with peers in group therapy to develop coping strategies.
- Working on improved communication skills to let others know when things are making you anxious.
Finding the right activity or combination of activities to combat anxiety may take some trial and error. However, the right combination can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life.
What Is an Anxiety Treatment Program at Imagine Omaha?
Anxiety can look different for each person. It may make one person feel out of control and manic, whereas others feel the effects through physical changes in their body, such as sweating or rashes. Ignoring these things will not make the anxiety go away. In fact, if untreated, these symptoms of anxiety can lead to more serious mental health conditions or a substance use disorder.
Some noticeable symptoms of anxiety include:
- Feeling faint
- Feeling nausea
- Feeling restless
- Rapid or labored breathing
- Inconsistent heartbeat
- Panic attacks
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Extreme sweating
Anxiety treatment programs will address the unique needs of each patient with a combination of therapies unique to the person. This can involve behavioral therapies, experiential therapies, and traditional talk therapies. Behavioral therapies are especially effective with teens to help them identify triggers and other patterns in their anxiety. These different behaviors, thoughts, and emotions can be managed with learned coping techniques so that when exposed to them in the future, the feelings of anxiousness are less. This is a type of exposure therapy.
In some cases, medication may be needed to help treat anxiety. This is looked at on a case-by-case basis. Treatment professionals will advise if medication is necessary after an initial intake exam is performed. If so, medication management will be an added layer of your teen’s treatment experience.
Contact Imagine Omaha For Anxiety Treatment Today
Because it is a common mental health issue among teens, there are many options for treating anxiety. Imagine Omaha offers a customized treatment program for each patient that enrolls. This personalized approach will utilize a variety of therapeutic modalities, including:
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Trauma Therapy
The treatment team at Imagine Omaha is here to answer any questions you have about anxiety treatment and more. Call today at 888.306.2681 or contact us online. Living a full life where anxiety can be managed on one’s own is the goal for every patient.