Coping Mechanisms For Anxiety

Call Now To Get On The Road To Recovery

*As required by law, all communications with Resurgence Behavioral Health are HIPAA Compliant and 100% Confidential

Many Would Benefit From Coping Mechanisms For Anxiety

Learning coping mechanisms for anxiety is necessary for a considerable portion of the population, as anxiety disorders are common.

In fact, according to a research report in a 2016 edition of Brain and Behavior, the prevalence of anxiety disorders is as high as 25% of the adult population, per the results of some studies.

Women, young adults, and people with chronic health problems are especially vulnerable to anxiety.

What this means is that knowing coping mechanisms for anxiety can be helpful, regardless of whether you struggle with anxiety yourself or have a loved one who lives with anxiety.

Healthy Coping Mechanisms For Anxiety

Fortunately, there are various healthy coping mechanisms for anxiety, and in some cases, people do not need to see a professional in order to implement these coping strategies. For example, activities like going for a walk, practicing yoga or stretching, or going to the gym to workout can be coping mechanisms for anxiety, as physical activity can be a source of stress relief.

Other healthy strategies include reaching out to a friend or family member, talking to a pastor or confidant at church, or planning an enjoyable evening out with friends. Some people may practice self-care as one of their coping mechanisms for anxiety. This can include going to bed early, snuggling in on the couch with a good book, or taking a warm bath. When anxiety strikes and you start to feel overwhelmed, pausing to engage in one of these stress-relieving activities can be among your go-to coping mechanisms for anxiety.

Working With A Professional To Learn Coping Mechanisms For Anxiety

If self-care is not sufficient to reduce anxiety symptoms, it may be beneficial to seek professional help to learn coping mechanisms for anxiety. Therapists, psychologists, counselors, and social workers are trained in a variety of different interventions that are effective for treating anxiety.

According to research, psychoeducation is a common tool that mental health professionals utilize when treating anxiety. Psychoeducation can be beneficial for learning anxiety coping mechanisms, as it involves a behavioral health professional providing information about mental health conditions, as well as ways to manage symptoms. Other common interventions that professionals use when treating anxiety can include relaxation techniques and cognitive therapy. You can implement the tools learned during therapy into your daily life, and use them as coping mechanisms for anxiety.

For instance, you may learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness meditation, and you can use these strategies when you find that anxiety symptoms increase. Cognitive therapy can also teach you new ways of thinking, which can reduce anxiety. This type of therapy helps you to replace anxious thoughts with more balanced, realistic thinking patterns.

Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms For Anxiety

While there are various ways to cope with anxiety, such as through self-care practices or working with a professional, some people may unfortunately turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms for anxiety, including drug use. When feeling anxious or stressed, a person may use drugs to feel more relaxed or to disconnect from their feelings for a while. This can lead to serious consequences, including drug addiction.

In fact, the relationship between anxiety and drug use is so strong that research shows that 15 percent of people who have an anxiety disorder also have a substance use disorder, which is the clinical term for an addiction. Marijuana addiction is the most common type among those with anxiety, followed by cocaine and amphetamine addiction. People may initially begin using drugs simply as coping mechanisms for anxiety, but over time, drugs only worsen anxiety. As the National Institute on Drug Abuse explains, when a person abuses drugs, they will develop a tolerance over time, meaning they need larger quantities of drugs to achieve the same effect.

Tolerance is related to dependence, which occurs when the body adapts to the presence of a drug and struggles to adjust when a person stops using. This means they you may begin using small doses of a drug to relieve anxiety, but over time, you will need significant amounts of drugs to stop anxious feelings, and your anxiety will return if you stop using.

Signs You Need Help For Addiction And Anxiety

Using drugs is one of the unhealthy coping mechanisms for anxiety, as it can lead to addiction and other risks. If you are wondering if you need help for addiction and anxiety, it is helpful to understand the signs of a substance use disorder. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, you may have a substance use disorder if you use larger amounts of drugs than intended, experience strong drug cravings, or are unable to stop using drugs on your own.

Other signs of a substance use disorder are as follows: using drugs even when it causes problems fulfilling duties at work or home, continuing to use drugs despite the fact that they may cause a health condition or make it worse, and giving up other activities in favor of drug use. When you display symptoms of a substance use disorder, you will find that it is hard to give up drugs on your own, because an addiction is a legitimate medical condition, which changes the brain and causes compulsive drug-seeking behavior.

Treatment For Anxiety And Addiction

If you have turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms for anxiety, and you are showing signs of a substance use disorder, it is probably time to reach out for professional intervention. When you are experiencing both anxiety and addiction, it is important to choose a dual diagnosis rehab center, which is qualified to treat both addiction and mental health problems.

A dual diagnosis provider can help you to recover from addiction and teach you healthy coping mechanisms for anxiety, so you do not turn to drugs to find relief. It is critical that you receive treatment for both the anxiety and the addiction. If you only address the addiction but leave anxiety untreated, you may find that you return to using drugs in order to cope with symptoms of anxiety.

California Dual Diagnosis Treatment

For those seeking dual diagnosis rehab in California, Resurgence is located in Orange County, and we offer detox services as well as outpatient and inpatient drug rehab.

We are a dual diagnosis treatment provider, meaning we can address addiction and teach you coping mechanisms for anxiety.

If you choose us as your inpatient treatment provider, you will recover in a homelike setting, with easy access to beautiful California amenities, including beaches, piers, waterfalls, swimming pools, and outdoor shopping centers.

If you are concerned about covering the cost of treatment, Resurgence California takes some of the stress out of the equation with our free, confidential insurance verification program.

Simply give us a call or stop by our website to provide us with your insurance information, and a member of our team will tell you what services your insurance plan covers and how much you can expect to pay out of pocket for treatment.

Once you are enrolled in rehab, our staff will collaborate with your insurance provider to ensure that your services are covered, so you can focus on your recovery.

If you are without insurance, we offer private payment options.

Reach out today to discuss your options.

Sources:

1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27458547/
2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32525354/
3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775646/
4) https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/science-drug-use-addiction-basics