Anxiety Help In Houston
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Mental Health & Substance Abuse Disorders
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Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health conditions in the U.S., affecting 19.1% of adults each year. Over the course of a lifetime, approximately 31.1% of Americans will experience some form of anxiety disorder.
While it’s normal to feel anxious occasionally, persistent and overwhelming worry may indicate an anxiety disorder. Those affected often experience chronic fear, nervousness, and unease that disrupt daily life and can lead to avoidance of important tasks or situations.
At Solace Texas, located in Houston, we provide outpatient care specifically designed for those dealing with anxiety disorders. Our team is committed to offering personalized treatment plans that support each client’s journey toward lasting relief and recovery.
Anxiety
Disorders
Anxiety disorders vary in terms of what triggers them, but they all involve excessive fear or worry and result in behavioral disruptions. These conditions can significantly affect daily functioning, making it difficult to maintain work, academic responsibilities, or healthy relationships.
Anxiety is often accompanied by both physical and emotional symptoms. Physically, individuals may experience a racing heart, sweating, headaches, or difficulty sleeping. Emotionally, they may feel constant dread, uneasiness, irritability, or persistent worry about potential negative outcomes.
Types
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5) is used to classify and diagnose mental health disorders. According to the DSM-5 there are different types or classifications of anxiety disorders.
Types of anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – Individuals with GAD often experience persistent and excessive worry or nervousness, even in situations where there is minimal or no cause for concern. This ongoing anxiety can significantly impact daily life, and symptoms may persist for several months or even years.
- Social Anxiety Disorder – This type of anxiety is marked by an intense fear or nervousness in social situations where one might be judged or scrutinized by others. The fear can become overwhelming, often interfering with daily activities like attending work, school, or social gatherings.
- Panic Disorder – Characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks, even when there is no real threat. These attacks often come with physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sweating. Over time, the fear of experiencing another attack can begin to dominate a person’s daily life.
- Agoraphobia – This disorder leads individuals to steer clear of places or situations where they fear they might feel trapped, helpless, or overwhelmed. In severe cases, it can significantly interfere with a person's ability to maintain relationships or function effectively at work or school.
- Specific Phobia – A persistent, overwhelming, and unreasonable fear of a particular object, situation, activity, or person, where the perceived threat is far greater than any actual risk. Individuals with this disorder typically make significant efforts to avoid what they fear, often disrupting their daily lives.
- Selective Mutism – A condition where a person is unable to speak in specific social settings despite being able to speak comfortably in others. This anxiety-driven disorder is most frequently seen in children and often interferes with social, educational, or occupational functioning.
- Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) – Involves intense fear or distress about being away from a person to whom one is strongly attached. This fear is often excessive and not appropriate for the individual's age or situation. While it is most frequently seen in children, it can also affect adolescents and adults.
Causes and Risk Factors
The origins of anxiety disorders are not fully understood but are believed to result from a mix of genetic, psychological, environmental, and developmental influences. These conditions often appear to run in families, indicating that inherited traits combined with life experiences may contribute to their onset.
Common factors that may raise the risk of developing an anxiety disorder include:
- Trauma – both children and adults who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event are at higher risk for developing an anxiety disorder
- Stress due to illness – health conditions or serious illness can cause anxiety disorders due to worrying about your treatment and your future
- Stress buildup – whether from a big event or several small life situations, stress can increase your chances of developing an anxiety disorder.
- Personality – Certain personality traits increase risk for anxiety such as being a perfectionist, being easily flustered, timid, lacking self-esteem, and wanting to control situations and people.
- Other mental health disorders – Having more than one mental health disorder can increases your risk for developing anxiety or multiple forms of anxiety disorders
- Family history of mental health disorders – Having blood relatives that have mental health conditions and/or anxiety disorders may increase your risk for developing an anxiety disorder
- Drugs and alcohol – Self-medicating to help with your anxiety or developing substance abuse because of your anxiety may occur. If you find yourself abusing substances, treatment may be necessary for both disorders otherwise known as dual diagnosis treatment.
Treating
Anxiety
Every anxiety disorder presents with unique symptoms, which means that treatment must be tailored to the specific condition. Depending on your diagnosis and personal needs, a personalized treatment plan can be created to support your path to recovery. Effective treatment for anxiety often includes therapy, medication, or a combination of both approaches.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a proven, evidence-based form of psychotherapy commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. It focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors by first recognizing the patterns that contribute to distress. The primary aim is to help individuals better understand their actions and motivations so they can build confidence and emotional well-being.
CBT also emphasizes developing problem-solving skills to manage challenging situations more effectively. At Solace Texas, we incorporate CBT into our anxiety treatment programs to help individuals reshape their thinking and improve their overall mental health.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a valuable method for supporting individuals with anxiety disorders. It provides a structured environment where participants can engage with others under the guidance of a mental health professional. Through these sessions, patients develop stronger social skills, improve their ability to resolve conflicts, and build meaningful connections with others facing similar challenges. Being part of a group helps individuals recognize that they are not alone in their experiences and fosters self-awareness and mutual support.
Experiential Therapy
To support patients in managing the physical symptoms of anxiety, our outpatient program at Solace Texas incorporates experiential therapy. We offer a variety of activities—such as yoga, hiking, art therapy, and meditation—that help individuals reconnect with their bodies, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. These practices empower clients to feel more grounded and in control throughout their recovery journey.
Medication
Relying on medication to treat anxiety disorders helps manage the symptoms but does not cure the condition. Medication isn’t necessary for every patient, and a mental health professional will evaluate each individual to determine the most effective treatment approach. When medication is prescribed, it is typically used alongside psychotherapy and group therapy for a more comprehensive plan.
Medications that may be used to address the physical symptoms of anxiety include:
- Benzodiazepines – Sedatives that can help with short-term anxiety, but they can be addictive so need to be taken cautiously
- Buspirone – Treats both short-term and long-term anxiety by affecting chemicals in the brain that help to regulate mood.
- Antidepressants – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin Norepineprine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), Monamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and Tricyclics are all antidepressants that can be used to treat anxiety disorders
- Beta-blockers – most often used to treat heart conditions, but can be helpful in relieving physical symptoms of anxiety
Solace Texas Anxiety Treatment
In Houston
At Solace Texas, we recognize that anxiety disorders can significantly impact how you function, think, and relate to others. These conditions often interfere with responsibilities at work, school, and within personal relationships.
Our mission is to equip clients with effective tools and knowledge to manage anxiety and improve their quality of life. Our experienced mental health professionals are ready to address both the physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety disorders.
If you or someone you care about is facing an anxiety disorder, don’t hesitate to contact Solace Texas today. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through the details of our treatment program.
