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Virtual Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety is a common emotion. At times, anxious feelings can often be healthy. But, when a person starts feeling excessive levels of these feelings, it could indicate an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are a common mental health condition that affects up to 20% of U.S. adults each year. Many people who struggle with one of these disorders may benefit from virtual therapy. In many cases, therapeutic intervention can help people with anxiety disorder manage their symptoms.
Enhance Health Group now offers virtual mental health services for people suffering from overwhelming feelings of anxiety. These people can participate in sessions with a therapist or even group therapy online. Patients are able to engage with therapists through live chats or video chats.
What are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety can benefit individuals in certain situations. After all, anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful things. It can alert people of potential dangers and make them pay attention or heighten awareness. It is important to note that anxiety disorders are not the same thing as mild feelings of anxiousness or nervousness.
Anxiety disorders involve excessive anxiety and fear. This type of disorder is a very common mental disorder but is treatable with numerous efficient treatments available. Medical professionals may want to diagnose patients with a specific anxiety disorder before proceeding with treatment.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are different types of anxiety disorders that can be diagnosed. All anxiety disorders involve persistent fear or worry over situations or objects that are not threatening. Receiving the appropriate treatment for a specific anxiety disorder diagnosis is vital to finding recovery.
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
eneralized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder with over 6.8 million American adults struggling with this disorder. GAD can cause symptoms with little or nothing provoking them. In general, GAD can cause feelings of anxiety regularly.
GAD is a type of anxiety disorder marked by:
- Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge
- Inability to control worrying
- Worrying about too many different things
- Difficulty relaxing
- Restlessness
- Easily annoyed or irritable
- Fearing that an awful event will occur
2. Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is another type of anxiety disorder. It is marked by repeated and unexpected events of extreme fear combined with physical symptoms.
Physical symptoms of panic disorder can include:
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Abdominal distress
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
In some cases, people with panic disorder suffer from panic attacks. These episodes can be distressing for the people who experience them. In severe cases, individuals may be hospitalized due to the intense symptoms of their panic attacks.
Loved ones may be unsure of how to care for someone having a panic attack. With appropriate treatment, people with panic disorder can manage their symptoms.
3. Specific Phobia
Specific phobias are intense and irrational fears over an event or object that poses little to no actual danger. Even with the realization that the fear is irrational, severe anxiety symptoms can occur. An estimated 9.1% of American adults experienced a specific phobia in the past. year.
Specific phobias can include:
- Heights
- Spiders
- Enclosed spaces
- Needles
- Clowns
4. Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder is an anxiety disorder marked by excessive self-consciousness and intense anxiety in daily social situations. It can be limited to just a single type of situation (i.e. eating or drinking in front of other people or fear of speaking in informal or formal situations).
When the disorder is in its severe form, an individual may experience symptoms nearly anytime they’re around other individuals. In some cases, people will withdraw from their loved ones and appear isolated. They may experience intense anxiety around social gatherings and special occasions. During treatment, those suffering may learn coping skills for their social anxiety.
5. Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that occurs when in a public or crowded area where the potential to escape is challenging. Avoiding situations or locations that may cause anxiety often is associated with this disorder. Agoraphobia is a persistent and chronic condition that can affect daily functioning.
Benefits of Virtual Treatment for Anxiety
There are several reasons individuals choose virtual treatment for anxiety over in-person treatment. Virtual anxiety treatment can benefit patients because of the ease and comfortability of online services.
Can Be as Effective as In-Person
Research has found that virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy. Most mental health conditions can be treated through virtual treatment and therapy. Virtual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been identified as a suitable substitute for in-person encounters. CBT is just one form of therapy that has been proven to be just as effective virtually.
Online CBT is considered to be just as effective as an in-person treatment for:
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
Provides Options for Individuals Struggling with Physical Limitations
Online anxiety therapy is accessible to people who are housebound or disabled. When it comes to mental health care, mobility is often a huge problem. However, virtual options for therapy can accommodate anyone with access to technology.
Disabled people no longer have to travel to receive therapy. Instead, they can receive the same care from the comfort of their own home. Increased access is a major benefit of virtual therapy.
Allows Patients to Maintain Privacy
Anxiety frequently comes with shame and guilt over persistently feeling worried and overly concerned about things others consider small. The stigma linked with mental health conditions can become a barrier to individuals receiving treatment.
Some people may be uncomfortable attending therapy sessions in person. Before virtual options, these individuals may have avoided therapy altogether. Virtual anxiety treatment has the potential to provide patients with increased privacy since all work is done virtually. Some therapists may use an online therapy platform that provides additional security.
Provides Comfort & Safety
Online therapy options allow individuals to create a comfortable and safe space for their therapy on their terms. During their session, they can grab themselves a cup of tea or wrap themselves up in a warm, secure blanket. They may wish to pet their cat or burn their favorite incense during their therapy session.
Virtual anxiety therapy allows individuals to customize their environment so they feel comfortable and safe. It also allows them to avoid the potentially triggering and an awkward wait in waiting rooms.
Affordable & Convenient
Telehealth for anxiety is typically a convenient and affordable option for individuals. When patients are able to attend therapy sessions in their own homes they are able to save money and have flexibility. This allows them to schedule their sessions at times that work more conveniently for them.
These days, various states are requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for virtual therapy. Fortunately, insurance will often cover virtual therapy the same as they would in-person options. Individuals are encouraged to contact their insurance providers to learn if they cover virtual anxiety treatments.
When a therapist only treats their patients online, chances are their overhead costs are much less. Therapists who conduct virtual sessions do not have to pay for office space or other in-person amenities. Therefore, online therapists can provide affordable online therapy options for individuals who aren’t covered by health insurance.
Provides More Therapist Options
People must select a therapist that they’ll feel comfortable being vulnerable around. We understand that selecting a therapist can be challenging for some people. Having to find the ideal therapist can be a stressful and long process. This is particularly true if the patient doesn’t live in a location with several options.
Online therapy allows people to choose a therapist from any location. When attending therapy virtually, people are no longer bound to attend sessions in their area. People who participate in virtual therapy have expanded options for care without the hassle of traveling for treatment providers.
What to Expect from Virtual Anxiety Treatment
Individuals can participate in online anxiety treatment easily on their electronic devices. All they need is a private location and access to the Internet. Many insurance providers acknowledge that online mental health therapy can be an ideal alternative to in-person visits. Many are covering online treatments, including online anxiety treatment.
With Enhance Health Group’s virtual anxiety program, you can expect:
Therapeutic sessions through virtual platforms (i.e. zoom) that meet HIPAA compliance requirements
Telephone communication and/or two-way live interactive video
Therapy that is based on evidence and conducted within a group setting
Psychiatrists who can prescribe medication if needed
Virtual therapy is similar to in-person therapy. Online treatment options follow a similar blueprint to programs that are conducted in person. Technology makes it possible for mental health providers to provide the same level of support to virtual patients.
Receive Help for Anxiety with Enhance Health Group
Anxiety can be damaging to mental health, but there are treatments available. Virtual options for treatment and therapy have the potential to make anxiety treatment more accessible.
At Enhance Health Group, we pride ourselves on our tailored approach to treatment. We work with our patients to determine the best treatment plan for their lifestyles. We offer virtual treatment options.
If you or a loved one are struggling with an anxiety disorder, contact us today at our California facility. Our professional team is ready to answer your questions and help you start your journey to better mental health.