Feeling constantly overwhelmed, on edge, or trapped by persistent worry? You’re not alone. For many in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and across the broader East Tennessee region, anxiety can feel like an invisible wall, preventing them from living a full and peaceful life. While everyone experiences stress, when worry becomes a pervasive force, it can escalate into a debilitating anxiety disorder, impacting every aspect of daily functioning.
At Riverwalk Recovery Center in Chattanooga, we understand the profound impact anxiety can have. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based treatment that helps you quiet the fear, find stable ground, and reclaim a life of balance and well-being.
Our mission is to offer a safe, supportive, and accredited environment where healing is not just possible, but a reality for every member of our community.
Overwhelmed, Anxious, and Tired of Coping Alone?
It’s easy to dismiss persistent worry as simply being “stressed out,” but for millions, anxiety is a clinical condition that can be profoundly debilitating. The constant cycle of worry, coupled with distressing physical symptoms and a tendency towards isolation, often goes unaddressed, leaving individuals feeling trapped and exhausted.
Many adults in Chattanooga with anxiety lack access to effective, affordable treatment that truly understands their unique needs. At Riverwalk Recovery Center, we help you untangle the complexities of your anxiety, providing the tools and support to quiet the fear and find stable ground. We believe that with the right guidance, you can break free from the overwhelming grip of anxiety and rediscover a sense of peace.
What Is an Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. These feelings are often disproportionate to the actual threat and can lead to significant distress and impairment.
Common Types We Treat
Riverwalk Recovery Center offers comprehensive treatment for a wide spectrum of anxiety disorders, tailoring our approach to your specific needs:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various everyday events or activities, often without a specific cause. This worry is typically difficult to control and can lead to restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
- Panic Disorder: Involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—sudden periods of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or a feeling of impending doom or loss of control. Individuals often develop a fear of having more attacks.
- Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): Marked by intense anxiety or fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in social situations. This fear can lead to avoidance of social gatherings, public speaking, or even everyday interactions.
- Agoraphobia: Characterized by intense fear and avoidance of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic-like symptoms occur. This often includes fear of open spaces, public transportation, crowded places, or being outside the home alone.
- Trauma-linked Anxiety (often co-occurs with PTSD): Recognizing that anxiety often stems from past distressing experiences, we specialize in addressing anxiety that is directly linked to trauma, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and complex trauma.
Not Just in Your Head: How Anxiety Affects the Body
Anxiety is not just a mental experience; it has profound physical manifestations. Chronic anxiety can lead to a range of bodily symptoms and long-term health impacts:
- Sleep Issues: Difficulty falling or staying asleep due to racing thoughts, leading to chronic fatigue.
- Digestive Problems: Nausea, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or other gastrointestinal distress.
- Fatigue: Persistent exhaustion from the constant state of hyperarousal.
- Heart Palpitations: A rapid or irregular heartbeat, often accompanied by chest tightness.
Long-term Effects: Chronic anxiety can impact immune health, making you more susceptible to illness, and can affect cognitive function, including memory and concentration.
Symptoms of Anxiety: How to Recognize It
Anxiety disorders can present with a wide array of symptoms, affecting your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Recognizing these signs is the first step toward seeking effective help.
Get the Help You Need & Deserve
Mental Symptoms
Individuals often experience excessive worry that is difficult to control and disproportionate to the actual situation. This can manifest as inability to concentrate, making it hard to focus on tasks or conversations. Spiraling thoughts are common, where negative thoughts rapidly escalate and become overwhelming. Other mental signs include catastrophic thinking, constant rumination, and a persistent feeling of being “on edge.”
Emotional Symptoms
The emotional toll of anxiety can be significant. You might experience an intense fear of losing control, either of your thoughts, emotions, or actions. Irritability and a short temper are common, as your nervous system is constantly on high alert. A pervasive sense of dread or impending doom can also be present, even without a clear threat. Other emotional signs include restlessness, nervousness, and a general sense of unease.
Physical Symptoms
Anxiety profoundly impacts your body. Common physical symptoms include shortness of breath or a feeling of suffocation, chronic muscle tension (especially in the neck, shoulders, and jaw), and nausea or other stomach discomfort. You might also experience a rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, dizziness, or headaches. These physical sensations can be particularly alarming during a panic attack.
Behavioral Symptoms
Anxiety often leads to specific behavioral patterns, many of which are avoidance-based. This can include avoidance of public places or social gatherings, leading to isolation. You might experience social withdrawal, pulling away from friends, family, and activities once enjoyed. Compulsive behaviors, such as repetitive checking or reassurance-seeking, may develop as a way to cope with anxiety, creating a cycle that further interferes with daily life.
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Root Causes of Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are complex, typically arising from a combination of life experiences, biological predispositions, and environmental factors. Understanding these contributors helps us tailor the most effective treatment plan for you.
Life Stress and Burnout
The pressures of modern life can significantly contribute to anxiety. This includes financial instability, leading to chronic worry about resources. Family pressure and dynamics can create ongoing stress, as can high expectations from oneself or others, leading to burnout and persistent feelings of inadequacy. Chronic work-related stress, academic pressures, and major life transitions can also trigger or exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Past Trauma
Adverse childhood experiences, emotional neglect, or medical trauma can profoundly impact brain development and emotional regulation, making individuals more susceptible to anxiety later in life. Unresolved past trauma can manifest as persistent anxiety, panic attacks, or hypervigilance, as the nervous system remains in a state of heightened alert. Addressing these past wounds through trauma-informed therapy is crucial for lasting relief.
Genetics and Brain Chemistry
There is a significant genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders, meaning they often run in families. If close relatives have experienced anxiety, you may be at a higher risk. Imbalances in brain chemistry, particularly involving neurotransmitters like GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), serotonin, and norepinephrine, are also believed to play a crucial role in regulating mood and the body’s stress response. These neurochemical imbalances can affect how the brain processes fear and stress.
Most Insurance Accepted
We work with most major insurance carriers and offer a range of options to fit your lifestyle and financial means
Our Treatment Approach at Riverwalk
At Riverwalk Recovery Center in Chattanooga, our approach to anxiety treatment is rooted in evidence-based practices and a deep understanding of the whole person. We combine clinical excellence with holistic interventions to provide comprehensive and lasting relief.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Our therapeutic approach is grounded in scientifically proven methods that provide effective relief from anxiety symptoms:
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): This highly effective therapy helps you identify and break the worry cycle by challenging negative or distorted thought patterns that fuel your anxiety. You’ll learn to reframe anxious thinking and develop more balanced perspectives.
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy): DBT teaches crucial skills for improving emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. It helps you manage intense emotions, cope with difficult situations, and navigate relationships more effectively.
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing): For individuals whose anxiety is directly linked to past traumatic experiences, EMDR therapy is offered. This specialized therapy helps to process distressing memories, reducing their emotional impact and allowing for healing from the trauma that fuels anxiety.
Medication Management
For many individuals, medication can be a valuable component of anxiety treatment, particularly when combined with therapy. Our psychiatric services include:
- Non-Addictive Options: We explore various non-addictive medication options, such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), which can be highly effective for generalized anxiety and panic disorder.
- Coordinated with Therapy: Medication is never a one-size-fits-all plan. It is always coordinated with your therapeutic journey, with careful monitoring and adjustments to ensure optimal effectiveness and a lasting impact on your well-being.
Holistic Coping Strategies
Beyond traditional talk therapy, we integrate holistic interventions that support overall well-being and promote healing in a comprehensive way:
- Breathwork: Learning specific breathing techniques can help regulate your nervous system, reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, and promote immediate relaxation.
- Journaling: Provides a powerful outlet for self-expression, allowing you to explore and process anxious thoughts and emotions in a safe and private space.
- Mindfulness: Practices that cultivate present-moment awareness, helping you observe thoughts and feelings without judgment and develop a greater sense of inner calm.
- Structured Social Re-engagement: For those with social anxiety, we help you gradually and safely re-engage in social situations, providing support and strategies to overcome avoidance. We help you practice tools – not just talk about them – ensuring you gain practical skills for managing anxiety in your daily life.
Why Choose Riverwalk Recovery?
Choosing the right treatment center for anxiety support is a significant decision. Riverwalk Recovery Center in Chattanooga stands out as a premier choice for several key reasons:
- You Don’t Need a Diagnosis to Start: We believe in making help accessible. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to reach out to us. Our compassionate admissions team can conduct an initial assessment to understand your needs and guide you toward the right path.
- Dual Diagnosis Focus: Anxiety often overlaps with substance use disorders, as individuals may use substances to cope. We specialize in dual diagnosis, providing integrated care that addresses both anxiety and any co-occurring addiction simultaneously for comprehensive healing.
- Care that Balances Clinical Results with Human Warmth: Our philosophy prioritizes dignity and connection over labels. We combine evidence-based clinical approaches with genuine human warmth and empathy, creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where you feel truly seen and supported. Our staff are extensively trained in trauma-informed practices and are committed to being LGBTQ+ affirming.
What to Expect
Starting anxiety treatment can feel like a significant step, but at Riverwalk Recovery Center, we strive to make the process clear, supportive, and empowering from the very beginning.
Intake and Personalized Plan
Your journey begins with a free and confidential intake process and a comprehensive clinical assessment. This thorough evaluation helps us accurately understand your specific anxiety symptoms, their severity, and identify any co-occurring conditions. Based on this, our multidisciplinary team will collaborate with you to develop a personalized care plan tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Assigned Therapist and Psychiatrist
As part of your personalized plan, you will be matched with a primary therapist who will guide you through your therapeutic journey. If medication management is part of your treatment, you will also have access to our on-site psychiatric services, ensuring coordinated care between your therapist and psychiatrist for a cohesive and effective approach.
Weekly Progress Check-ins
Throughout your program, you will receive consistent and personalized support. We conduct weekly progress check-ins to ensure your plan is effective and adapts to your evolving needs. This ongoing evaluation allows for adjustments as needed, ensuring your treatment remains responsive to your healing journey.
Transition to Long-Term Support or Outpatient as Needed
Recovery is a continuous process, and our commitment to your well-being extends beyond your primary program. We provide comprehensive transition planning, connecting you with long-term support options or stepping you down to outpatient therapy as needed. Our goal is to equip you with the tools and resources for sustained peace and resilience in your daily life.
How Riverwalk Recovery Can Help
If you or a loved one is struggling with an anxiety disorder in Chattanooga, Tennessee, or the surrounding East Tennessee area, you are not alone. Riverwalk Recovery Center is here to provide the compassionate, evidence-based care you need to find peace and reclaim your life. Our dedicated team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and guide you toward a healthier, happier future. We offer specialized anxiety treatment, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and EMDR, alongside expert medication management. Our integrated approach addresses co-occurring conditions, and our supportive environment, including recovery housing options, ensures a holistic path to lasting well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Treatment
Can I get help without quitting my job?
Yes, absolutely. Riverwalk Recovery Center offers flexible program options designed to accommodate your daily life. Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) has both morning and evening group options, allowing you to attend therapy sessions while continuing with work, school, or family responsibilities. Our outpatient therapy also provides flexible scheduling. We aim to make treatment accessible without requiring you to put your life on hold.
What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t work?
It’s common for individuals to have varied experiences with therapy. If previous attempts didn’t yield the desired results, it doesn’t mean therapy won’t work for you. At Riverwalk Recovery Center, we offer a diverse range of evidence-based therapies, including CBT, DBT, and EMDR, and our approach is highly individualized and trauma-informed. We encourage you to discuss your past experiences during your assessment so we can tailor a plan that truly resonates with your needs and addresses any previous roadblocks.
Do you offer support for men and women with social anxiety or panic attacks?
Yes, we provide comprehensive support for both men and women experiencing social anxiety and panic attacks. Our programs utilize evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT, which are highly effective for these conditions. We offer individual therapy to address specific fears and triggers, and group therapy provides a supportive environment to practice social skills and reduce feelings of isolation. Our team is skilled in helping individuals manage panic attacks and overcome social fears.
Take the courageous first step toward lasting peace and balance today. Call Riverwalk Recovery Center confidentially
Contact us for help today
We Have A Program To Fit Your Lifestyle
Whether you are struggling with depression, addiction, an eating disorder or some combination of these, we can help. All you need to do is make the first move and reach out to us. Let’s get you better, together.