Anxiety Disorder Treatment Center in Tucson

Learn More About Treatment for Anxiety

Struggling with anxiety can have a devastating impact on a person’s life. Believed to be one of the most commonly diagnosed of all mental disorders, anxiety affects people of all ages. The symptoms and effects of anxiety can cause individuals to lose the ability to focus on daily responsibilities such as performing adequately at work or school, taking care of things around the house, and fulfilling social obligations. In some instances, the symptoms of anxiety can be so extreme that people find that they are unable to even leave their house. For those individuals who are fighting against intrusive and uncontrollable thoughts, chronic panic attacks, extreme phobias, compulsions over which they have no control, or an overall sense of trepidation that something bad is going to happen, treatment can help you overcome these debilitating symptoms and get your life back on track.

Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital is a 140-bed acute inpatient psychiatric hospital in Tucson designed to provide optimal treatment for children, adolescents, and adults who are struggling with behavioral health issues such as anxiety. We strive to stand out from our competitors by being the only inpatient facility in Tucson, Arizona that accepts children as young as 5. The staff at Sonora recognize the challenges that can come with living a life tainted by chronic anxiety and we want to show you that there is hope for the future. We want to help you rediscover the strength you already have while developing the tools you need to manage your symptoms and move forward towards living the life you deserve to live.

Helping a Loved One or Family Member Get Treatment

If you have a family member or loved one who faces each day going through the turmoil of an anxiety disorder, you may feel at a loss as to what you can do to help him or her. While you are able to recognize how the illness is negatively impacting your loved one’s life, it can be difficult to have a full understanding of what exactly he or she is going through. While offering your unconditional support is one of the best ways to help your loved one, educating yourself about what anxiety is will allow you to be the most effective support possible. By learning about the different types of anxiety, the various symptoms of anxiety, and the different treatment options available, you will be demonstrating to your loved one that you truly care about him or her and that you want to help.

In addition, it is important to be cautious when interacting with your loved one in order to ensure that you are sensitive to his or her needs. The following are some things to keep in mind:

• Do not make statements such as “relax” or “don’t worry” because this will likely only make the anxiety worse. Keep in mind that what your loved one is experiencing is out of his or her control.
• Do not offer to do things for him or her. When you see your loved one in distress, it is only natural to want to help with certain tasks because you know that doing so might help to alleviate some of his or her stress. However, in doing so, you are putting your loved one at risk of becoming dependent on you, ultimately prolonging his or her anxiety.
• Avoid being judgmental.
• Discuss with your loved one his or her need for care at an anxiety treatment center. Refrain from making ultimatums, and instead try and help him or her come to understand how much better life can be if proper treatment is received.

Why Consider Treatment at Sonora Behavioral Health

When faced with the chronic presence of anxiety, people may find that their symptoms are negatively affecting their ability to maintain healthy relationships, interact appropriately in social situations, fulfill obligations, and perform adequately in academic or occupational settings. The longer that anxiety continues to go untreated, the greater the risk becomes that problems with one’s physical health will arise as well. Studies have shown that people who experience high levels of stress and suffer from excessive levels of anxiety are at an increased risk of having a heart attack, experiencing chronic tension headaches or migraines, and having a weakened immune system, among others.

Seeking treatment in an inpatient setting can be extremely beneficial for individuals who are living with the challenges that accompany an anxiety disorder. When entering this type of treatment, people are being afforded the opportunity to leave behind the stresses of their normal, everyday lives and put all of their energy and focus on becoming well. Inpatient treatment for anxiety also allow people to gain the support of other patients who are facing similar trials. Through the use of various therapeutic interventions, inpatient treatment centers can help guide you in overcoming your symptoms of anxiety and in developing the skills set needed for lasting healing.

Anxiety Treatment Philosophy and Benefits

As the leading psychiatric hospital in Tucson, we have made it our sole mission to provide superior behavioral healthcare services to the people, hospitals, and communities that we serve. By employing an evidenced-based treatment protocol that teaches effective coping skills, we are able to enhance our patients’ ability to remain successful after they are discharged from our care. Our highly trained and qualified staff is dedicated to providing comprehensive medical and psychiatric assessments, diagnostic services, and thorough treatment. By caring for patients who are struggling with acute illnesses in a sensitive and caring manner, the staff at Sonora is able to assist those who come to us for help regain and maintain their highest level of functioning.

Types of Treatment Offered at Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital

Upon arrival at our psychiatric hospital, each patient who comes to us for anxiety treatment will complete an initial assessment that will include a physical examination, a collection of medical history, a psychiatric evaluation, and a psychological assessment. During this time, we will also identify social skills, cultural and family issues, and determine any other needs that each patient may have. We use a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, and our experienced clinical team is composed of psychiatrists, internists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, therapists, and expressive art therapists, all of whom are trained in treating individuals who are struggling with emotional health and substance abuse concerns. All treatment plans are individualized and include the following methods:

Medication management: Medication may be a beneficial aspect of thoroughly treating the symptoms of anxiety. All patients are seen daily by a psychiatrist to ensure the effectiveness of any medications prescribed, as well as to make any changes that might be necessary. Additionally, all patients receive individual medication education in order to address any questions or concerns that may arise.

Group therapy: At our psychiatric hospital, the main form of treatment is daily group therapy sessions. Rather than using process groups like many inpatient treatment programs do, we instead use solution-focused groups that teach patients a variety of skills needed to overcome their anxiety. Some of our group topics include coping skills, stress management, self-awareness, relaxation, and self-help skills training.

Family meetings: Family members are encouraged to be an active part of all aspects of the treatment process. Education about their loved one’s condition is provided and family members are in constant communication with case managers throughout their loved one’s stay.

Additional treatment methods may include the following:

• Recreation therapy
• Expressive therapy, including art therapy
• Weekly dietary groups
• Daily meetings with a social worker

Continuing Care and Levels of Treatment

The discharge planning process begins as soon as a patient is admitted to our hospital. Within 48 hours of admission, a social worker will evaluate each patient for available resources  in Tucson or elsewhere that can be implemented once he or she has left our center, including placement, transportation, and aftercare treatment. When the time comes for the patient to be discharged, the social worker will coordinate placement with the patient, the patient’s family members, any outside community agencies, or private insurance. If needed, social workers will also coordinate transportation from the hospital to the patient’s next placement on the day of discharge, as well as ensure that transportation needs for aftercare treatment appointments are met.

For adult patients that no longer require the intensive level of psychiatric care provided by inpatient treatment, Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital offers outpatient treatment that consist of nine to twelve hours of group therapy each week. These groups allow participants to process real-life scenarios as they happen, while also receiving the support they need as they practice the new techniques that they are learning. This eight to twelve week period of intensive treatment gives participants the chance to use a group setting to work through the emotional and psychological issues that have kept them locked in a state of distress. Through our outpatient programs, patients will learn techniques that they can continue to use for the rest of their lives.

Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) and our intensive outpatient program (IOP) allow patients to live at home, attend school, or go back to work while still receiving the treatment that they need. PHP is held 5 days a week for 6 hours each day, while IOP is held 3 days a week for 3 hours each day. Both programs have a mental health and chemical dependency track. In addition to PHP and IOP, we have an aftercare program for alumni that is held once a month for as long as patients need.

Sonora Admissions Inquiry
If you are unable to call Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital, please use the form below to submit a confidential message to our admissions staff. We will get back with you as soon as possible.