Anxiety Disorders
Structured, evidence-based treatment for generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, and related conditions.
Overview
What it is.
Medically reviewed by Peter Scheid, MD
Medical Director, SILC Health
Clinically reviewed by Christina Kayanan, LMFT, LPCC
Clinical Director, Mental Health Services — SILC Health
Last reviewed: June 16, 2026
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting more than 40 million adults each year — yet fewer than half receive treatment. The category includes generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and agoraphobia. They share a common thread: the brain's threat-detection system gets stuck in the "on" position.
Untreated anxiety doesn't just feel uncomfortable — it shapes daily life. It interferes with sleep, work, relationships, and physical health. Many people manage it for years with avoidance, alcohol, or sheer willpower before seeking help. Effective treatment exists, and most people respond to it.
Signs
What it looks like.
Recognizing the pattern is often the hardest part. None of these alone confirms a diagnosis — but a cluster of them is worth taking seriously.
- Persistent worry that feels hard to control
- Racing heart, shortness of breath, or chest tightness (panic attacks)
- Avoiding places, people, or situations that trigger anxiety
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge
- Muscle tension, headaches, or stomach issues with no clear cause
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Using alcohol or substances to take the edge off
Our Approach
How SILC treats it.
SILC Health treats anxiety disorders across multiple levels of care, matched to severity and functional impact. For most adults, structured outpatient or intensive outpatient (IOP) care is the right starting point. When anxiety is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning, residential or partial hospitalization (PHP) provides a deeper container — full days of structured therapy, away from the stressors driving the cycle.
Treatment is grounded in evidence-based therapies: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy have the strongest track records for anxiety, paired with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based approaches, and medication management when appropriate. Our psychiatric team evaluates each client individually — medication is one tool among several, not a default.
If SILC isn't the right clinical or geographic fit, our admissions team will help you find a trusted partner facility that is.
Therapies & Modalities
FAQ
Common questions.
What's the difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder?
Normal anxiety is short-term and tied to specific stressors — a job interview, a tough conversation. An anxiety disorder is persistent (months or longer), disproportionate to the situation, and interferes with daily functioning. If it's shaping your life rather than just showing up in it, that's worth evaluating.
Do I need medication for anxiety?
Not necessarily. CBT and exposure therapy are first-line treatments and often work well without medication. For some clients, medication (SSRIs, SNRIs, or short-term anxiolytics) is added when symptoms are severe enough to interfere with engaging in therapy. Our psychiatric team evaluates each person individually.
Can anxiety be cured?
"Cured" isn't quite the right frame — anxiety is part of the human nervous system. But anxiety disorders are highly treatable, and most people who engage in evidence-based treatment see meaningful improvement. The goal is to make anxiety manageable, not to never feel it.
What if I'm also using substances to cope?
That's very common — anxiety and substance use frequently co-occur. Trying to treat one without the other rarely works long-term. Our integrated dual-diagnosis approach treats both at the same time, with a single coordinated team.
Does insurance cover anxiety treatment?
Most major insurance plans cover mental health treatment under federal parity laws. Our admissions team verifies benefits and explains coverage before you commit to anything.
Related
You may also be looking for
Major Depressive Disorder
Compassionate, evidence-based treatment for depression — including treatment-resistant cases.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Trauma-focused therapy for PTSD — from combat, assault, accidents, and other life-altering events.
Co-Occurring Disorders (Dual Diagnosis)
Integrated treatment for substance use and mental health conditions — treated together, not one at a time.
Trauma & Adverse Childhood Experiences
Treatment for complex trauma, childhood adversity, and the long shadows trauma can cast on adult life.
Talk to admissions
One conversation can change the trajectory.
Whether SILC is the right fit or not, we'll listen and help you find a path forward.