WHAT WE TREAT
At Paracelsus Recovery, we have seen time and time again that if you can effectively address the physical, cognitive and emotional root causes of anxiety, you can help someone be free of anxiety symptoms in a matter of weeks.
Anxiety is a healthy and human response to frightening or stressful experiences. However, an anxiety disorder turns that response into a state of being. The doubt, worry, and intrusive thoughts can make us feel as though we are losing our minds. Experiencing such intense emotions can lead to a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, such as overthinking, low self-esteem, negative thoughts, indecisiveness, exhaustion and feeling on edge.
To cope with anxiety-induced negative thoughts and intense emotions, it can be common to become dependent on substances. Anxiety is one of the leading causes of substance abuse and can also lead to depression or other mental health conditions.
While environmental stressors, such as trauma, chronic stress, or major life changes, can exacerbate anxiety, it is usually caused by a combination of genetic and psychological factors. For instance, in our experience, anxiety is often rooted in low self-esteem and a sense that one does not really ‘know’ who they are, both for themselves and for others. That not-knowing can become how we position ourselves towards the world at large i.e. If I do not know the only thing I can know (myself), how can I know if this train will be safe? How can I know if that ‘weird’ spot isn’t cancerous? How can I know if I will be okay?
This ‘how can I know’ then becomes the bedrock upon which an anxiety disorder grows. It often evolves into a phobia (something you now know is unsafe), which functions as a kind of container for that previously free-floating anxiety.
Lifestyle factors like poor diet, lack of sleep, and substance abuse can intensify these symptoms further, making it a complex condition influenced by various interconnected elements. At Paracelsus Recovery, our treatment for anxiety helps clients answer that ‘who am I?’ question.
Anxiety can show itself in all kinds of ways, making any ‘signs & symptoms’ set pretty endless. We’ve outlined some of the most common symptoms below, but it is not an exhaustive list:
- Excessive worry or fear about various aspects of life.
- Restlessness or feeling “on edge”.
- Fatigue or feeling easily worn out.
- Difficulty concentrating or having your mind go blank.
- Irritability.
Additional symptoms include:
What are the psychological symptoms of anxiety?
- Persistent feelings of apprehension or dread.
- Intrusive thoughts or fears that are difficult to control.
- Difficulty sleeping due to racing thoughts or worries.
- Hypervigilance or being overly alert to potential threats.
- Fear of losing control, fainting or going “crazy”.
What are the physical symptoms of anxiety?
- Increased heart rate or palpitations.
- Sweating, hot flashes, shaking, trembling.
- Numbness in extremities.
- Gastrointestinal issues.
- Shortness of breath or feeling like you’re choking.
- Muscle tension or soreness.
- Phantom symptoms of deadly diseases.
What are the behavioural symptoms of anxiety?
- Avoidance of situations or places that cause anxiety.
- Procrastination or difficulty starting tasks.
- Compulsive behaviours, such as checking or reassurance-seeking.
- Social withdrawal or isolation.
- Self-medicating with substances or food.
- Over-preparation or perfectionism to avoid perceived risks.
treatment
How we treat anxiety
We can’t tell you exactly what your four-week stay will involve because our patients have no pre-defined treatment path. Everyone who comes to stay at Paracelsus Recovery receives a bespoke treatment plan, with each day thoughtfully structured to include a range of carefully tailored therapeutic elements.
These therapies are designed to complement one another, ensuring that every aspect of your physical, emotional, and psychological health is addressed. See below for more details.
Our approach considers the whole person: mind, body and soul
Our 360-degree treatment approach centres on medical intervention, intensive psychotherapy and restrengthening your mind-body connection. Each treatment plan is based on extensive testing, with emphasis placed on uncovering any imbalances. It is ultimately your unique needs that guide our work together.
15 team members, all dedicated to your health and well-being
A team of world-renowned doctors, therapists, and specialists will guide you throughout your stay, including a Nobel Prize-winning board member. With a team to client ratio of 15:1, we provide unparalleled round-the-clock support. This includes a personal psychiatrist, medical doctor, client relations team, and a live-in therapist who will be available for emotional support and therapeutic assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Treatment programmes as unique as you are
Each of our treatment programmes is carefully curated to each client’s specific set of needs. Our anxiety programmes will focus on helping you understand who you are and who you might want to be, both for yourself and for others. With those questions guiding our work and using an approach that prioritises cutting-edge modalities and holistic care, we can help you recover from anxiety in weeks.
We can provide treatment for anxiety and any co-occurring mental health conditions at our anxiety treatment facility in Zurich, where you can expect Swiss excellence. When necessary, we may use medication to help ease your symptoms.
FURTHER READING
