By: Lakeview Health
Coping with Addiction and an Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety is an emotion that everyone feels from time to time. However anxiety disorders are different in that they cause such stress that an individual will not be able to lead a normal life. An anxiety disorder is a mental illness that can come in the form of a panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can be crippling. It is not uncommon for an individual who suffers from an anxiety disorder to self medicate with either drugs or alcohol in an attempt to get there anxiety under control. While it may be temporary relief, after the effects of the chemicals wears off the anxiety is still there. For some who struggle with anxiety this can lead to addiction and in need of some sort of addiction treatment. Some who suffer from an anxiety disorder and addiction have found relief in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is therapy that addresses the emotional response to mental illness. Trained medical professionals in an addiction treatment facility will help a person who suffers from anxiety disorder and addiction put together a strategy that will help them deal with their disorder without chemical dependency. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another type of treatment for anxiety disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy will teach a person to how to recognize and change their thought process that is causing the anxiety. In addition cognitive behavioral therapy will teach its clients to acknowledge triggers that cause them to feel anxiety.
