How to Recognize When Anxiety Requires Intensive Treatment

Severe anxiety isn’t always visible to others, but it can be an overwhelming force for the person who feels it. In my work as a therapist, I’ve witnessed anxiety can quietly get in the way of someone’s ability to function, make decisions, or feel safe in their own body.

"It’s like you are always waiting for the other shoe to drop,” some people describe it, even when everything seems just fine on the outside. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s just stress or something more serious, you’re not alone.

This blog is here to help you identify anxiety symptoms and guide you toward the right level of support based on what you're experiencing. We’ll look at what anxiety actually is, how to tell if you need professional help, and what treatment options are available when things feel unmanageable. Let’s get started!

What Is Anxiety?

Everyone gets anxious every now and then! Anxiety is our body’s innate defense against danger; it can prepare us for something significant, such as giving a big presentation or encountering a major life change—like starting a new job or moving to a new city.

While it’s natural for everyone to experience anxiety at time, experiencing constant anxiety is not normal. When anxiety becomes constant, overwhelming, or irrational, it could be more than just nerves. Those are signs that may indicate a deeper underlying issue such as an anxiety disorder.

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) defines anxiety disorders as “the presence of excessive fear or anxiety” that is either difficult to control or impairs an individual’s social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The symptoms need to be persistent and not better explained by another mental health condition, medical problem, or substance use.

To learn more, head to our blog "What is Anxiety? A Guide to Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment".

Types of Anxiety Disorders:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of daily life, often difficult to control and lasting for at least six months
• Panic Disorder - Characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern or behavioral changes related to those attacks
• Social Anxiety Disorder - Marked fear or avoidance of social situations due to fear of embarrassment, judgment, or rejection
• Specific Phobias - Intense and irrational fear of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance behavior

What Are Common Symptoms of Anxiety?

If your anxiety is impacting your life, that’s a signal that something needs to change. Watch out for the following signs of anxiety:

Symptoms of severe anxiety that are physical:

• Racing heart
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle tension
• Nausea or digestive issues
• Trouble sleeping

Cognitive and emotional symptoms:

• Constant worry — even when there is no obvious reason.
• Catastrophic thinking (imagining worst-case scenarios).
• Trouble focusing.
• Irritability.
• Avoid interacting with certain people, places, or situations.

For some individuals, anxiety symptoms may seem to be manageable, however, symptoms can quickly become chronic or more intense. Do not be afraid to seek help from a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, PA in psychiatry, or therapist. These professionals can help you find relief by presenting you with the best anxiety treatment options for your needs.

Red Flags: Recognize When Anxiety Requires Intensive Treatment

When anxiety starts to disrupt your daily life or feels overwhelming, it may be a sign that more intensive treatment is needed. Here are some key indicators to look out for:

• You’re missing work or school.
• Social withdraw and isolation
• Forgoing basic hygiene.
• Anxiety attacks are increasing more frequently.
• You’re using substances as a form of coping.
• You’re having thoughts about self-harm or suicide.
• Regular therapy and/or medication haven’t done much.
• Hours in your day are being taken up with OCD behaviors.
• Finding yourself so scared or panicked that you are not sleeping
• You are emotionally dulled or always disengaged from the background.
• You have physical symptoms (such as chest tightness, dizziness, nausea) that disrupt daily activity
• Your mind is filled with intrusive thoughts—thoughts that might interfere with your ability to concentrate or sleep.

If any of these signs resonate with your life or a loved one’s, consider this a sign that more support is necessary. Take our free anxiety test to get a better understanding on your symptoms and get guidance on the next steps.

Types of Intensive Treatment Options for Severe Anxiety

When anxiety is severe, weekly therapy may not do the trick. That’s when other anxiety treatment options are considered, such as:

1. Medication Management: Sometimes, psychiatric medication can help regulate anxiety so that therapy works more effectively.
2. Inpatient Hospitalization: For individuals in crisis or the risk of self-harm. All of that is short-term points toward safety and stabilization.
3. Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP Program): 5 days a week, for 5-6 hours a day, provides group and individual therapy, skills-building, and psychiatric support; you come back home in the evening. This is suitable for individuals who need regular support and focus but do not require 24-hour tethering in a residential facility.
4. Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP Program): For 3–5 days a week, for 3–4 hours a day, A step-down from PHP or a step-up from weekly therapy, emphasizing coping strategies, emotional regulation, and interpersonal connection.
5. Additional possibilities include EMDR therapy for anxiety.

How to Seek Help With Severe Anxiety

If this resonates with what you or someone you love is experiencing, here’s what to do next:

• Begin talking to a therapist or primary care provider.
• Ask your therapist or medical provider about the possibility of obtaining a referral for an evaluation for a PHP or IOP program.
• Research programs that specialize in what you need
• Connect with others who’ve experienced similar struggles. Peer support groups and group therapy sessions can help you feel less alone and more hopeful. Clarity Clinic offer an adult anxiety support group that meets virtually.
• And most crucially: don’t wait for things to get worse. Getting help sooner can really make a difference.

Resources for Anxiety Support

• Clarity Clinic Anxiety Treatment
• PHP & IOP Program in Chicago
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
• Mental Health America
• SAMHSA Treatment Locator
• National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988

Severe Anxiety

If you’re suffering from severe anxiety symptoms, here’s what you should know: your reactions make sense. Anxiety might be your mind and body’s attempt to protect you, even though it feels like too much to handle. You’re not broken—you’re responding to stress, uncertainty, or pain in the way your mind and body know how.

As a therapist, I have witnessed how anxiety can severely impact people, as well as how healing unfolds when the appropriate support is offered. You are not alone, and you don’t need to continue white knuckling your way through it.

Reaching out for help is a courageous act. There are loving professionals and programs created to help you reconnect with yourself, to find peace, to feel safe again. Whether you’re seeking new anxiety treatment possibilities or grappling with a set of serious anxiety symptoms, there’s a solution out there for you—and it really can help.

Anxiety Treatment in Chicago

At Clarity Clinic, we offer comprehensive anxiety treatment tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're experiencing constant worry, panic attacks, or overwhelming stress, our experienced team is here to help you regain control and feel more like yourself again.

Find the best anxiety therapist in Chicago for your needs and the right Psychiatrist for anxiety, all at Clarity Clinic. We provide a range of treatment options, from individual therapy and medication management to more structured support through our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). These programs are ideal for individuals who need more than weekly therapy but don’t require inpatient care.

With multiple locations throughout Chicago and virtual options available (online therapy, virtual IOP, and online psychiatry) , high-quality anxiety care is always within reach.

Related Readings:

• Anxiety in Teens: Key Signs to Watch for at School
• Is Anxiety Causing Pressure In My Head?
• What is Anxiety? A Guide to Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never ignore or delay seeking professional help due to information found here.