Most people feel anxious from time to time, but having an anxiety disorder is different. Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions in which fear, worry and physical tension become intense, persistent and disruptive enough to interfere with all parts of daily life.
At Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health in Council Bluffs, Iowa, we offer compassionate, evidence-based inpatient treatment for individuals who have anxiety that has become unmanageable. With a dedicated clinical team and round-the-clock support, patients can build the skills and gain the insight and confidence they need to find lasting healing.
Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
There are multiple types of anxiety disorders, including:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Persistent, hard-to-control worry about a number of events or activities, occurring more days than not for at least six months
- Panic disorder: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks followed by ongoing concern about having additional attacks and displaying significant changes in behavior to avoid them
- Social anxiety disorder: Marked fear or anxiety about social situations in which the person believes that they may be scrutinized by others
- Agoraphobia: Fear or avoidance of places or situations in which escape might be difficult or help unavailable
- Specific phobia: Intense fear of or anxiety about a specific object or situation, such as flying, heights or animals
- Separation anxiety disorder: Developmentally inappropriate, excessive fear about separation from those to whom the person is attached
Anxiety affects the mind and the body. Symptoms can build gradually or surface suddenly during a panic attack. Common warning signs that a person could be suffering from an anxiety disorder include:
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating or having one’s mind go blank
- Muscle tension, headaches or jaw clenching
- Fatigue or feeling easily worn out
- Sleep disturbances, including having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Racing heart, chest tightness or shortness of breath
- Sweating, trembling or dizziness
- Stomach upset, nausea or other gastrointestinal complaints
- Feeling a sense of impending doom or of losing control
- Avoiding people, places or situations that trigger fear
Symptoms will vary from person to person depending on several factors, primarily the specific type of anxiety disorder they are suffering from. Anyone who recognizes a pattern of these experiences should be evaluated by a qualified mental health professional.
Effects of Untreated Anxiety Disorders
When symptoms of an anxiety disorder have started to take over a person’s life and are hindering their ability to function, it is a sign that professional care is needed. Examples of warning signs, in addition to the symptoms listed above, that could mean that it’s time to seek help include:
- Worry or fear lasts for weeks or months
- Panic attacks occur without warning
- Work, school or social activities are being avoided
- Drugs or alcohol are being used to help ease distressing symptoms
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide are present
Without addressing anxiety symptoms and receiving proper treatment, symptoms will rarely improve on their own. Over time, the effects of suffering from an anxiety disorder can consistently escalate.
- Declining professional or academic performance
- Strained relationships and social withdrawal
- Persistent insomnia and exhaustion
- Chronic headaches, muscle pain or digestive problems
- Onset of symptoms of other mental health disorders, such as depression
- Development of an addiction to drugs or alcohol
The good news is that there is help available. By receiving early, targeted care at an anxiety disorder treatment center like Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health, you can reduce the risk for long-term effects and begin healing from the effects you have already experienced.
Benefits of Receiving Anxiety Treatment
Receiving anxiety treatment does more than just ease symptoms. It teaches the practical, lifelong skills that can help prevent anxiety from running your life. With professional support, patients often notice:
- Fewer or less intense distressing symptoms
- Better sleep and increased energy
- Healthier coping strategies in place of avoidance or substance use
- Stronger, more honest relationships
- Renewed focus at work or in school
- Lower physical health risks tied to chronic stress
- A regained sense of calm and self-control
- A sustainable plan for maintaining long-term wellness
Learn More About Anxiety Treatment at Our Council Bluffs Hospital
Effective mental healthcare looks different depending on where someone is in life. That’s why we have organized our inpatient anxiety treatment services into dedicated units, each staffed by clinicians who are trained to meet the specific needs of the population they serve.
- Adults ages 18-64: Patients in this program are typically navigating severe symptoms that call for round-the-clock clinical oversight. Care prioritizes getting symptoms under control, restoring stability and building a solid foundation for what comes next after leaving our anxiety treatment center.
- Senior adults age 65 and older: Aging can bring unique challenges to the treatment experience, and this program is built around them. Clinicians factor in memory and thinking changes, physical health and emotional shifts that often accompany later life when shaping each patient’s anxiety treatment plan.
We’re also expanding to serve younger patients in the near future, with services on the way for children and adolescents ages 5-17. These services will emphasize safety, building skills to handle big emotions and therapy approaches that match where each young person is developmentally.
Our facility has 96 beds and was built from the ground up with healing in mind. Every detail, from the layout to sightlines, supports a calm, secure atmosphere where patients can truly focus on healing. Rooms are shared between two patients, with roommate pairings made thoughtfully based on factors like clinical fit and personal needs.
Here’s what patients can expect as part of inpatient anxiety disorder treatment at our Council Bluffs hospital:
- Ongoing medication oversight and appropriate medication adjustments when necessary
- One-on-one assessments with a psychiatrist
- Group therapy sessions held daily
- Coordinated team of providers who have specialized training in various areas of behavioral healthcare
- A clear plan for life after discharge
Get Started Today at Our Anxiety Treatment Center
We serve communities across western Iowa and eastern Nebraska from our location in Council Bluffs. Our patients work with staff members who genuinely care. They show up every day determined to create an environment where real healing is possible.
Anxiety can feel impossible to manage alone, but we are here to help. Whether you are seeking anxiety treatment for yourself or someone else in your life, we are available 24/7 to answer any questions you have. Don’t continue to struggle. Contact us today.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical team at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health.
