Need A Convenient Way To Seek Help? Call An Anxiety Hotline
When you’re going through a rough patch in life, it isn't always easy to reach out for help – even when you really need it.
Most of us will go through a series of challenges throughout our lives. These struggles and setbacks are nearly universal, so why can it feel so hard to reach out for help?
Scientists are still studying the “why” behind this phenomenon, but research suggests that fear is often at the root of our hesitation. People may feel worried about being shunned, rejected, or ridiculed if they ask for help.
But oftentimes, these fears are unfounded. As humans, we’re wired to connect with and help one another, and crisis hotlines are a clear example of this behavior.
Whether you’re experiencing the early symptoms of anxiety or a mental health crisis, there are several free and professional hotlines available to support you. We’ll review some of the most popular anxiety hotlines and their benefits, and discuss how therapists can offer further insights and personalized support.
What Are The Best Anxiety Hotlines?
The best anxiety hotline for you depends on your immediate needs. Some hotlines specialize in specific mental health conditions, while others provide more generalized support. In the U.S., these are some of the most credible hotlines for anxiety and related mental health conditions.
1. Crisis Text Line
The Crisis Text Line offers support via text message: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S., and you’ll quickly connect with a live, trained Crisis Counselor who can help you cool down during a hot moment.
According to their website, a “crisis” doesn’t just refer to when someone is thinking about ending their own life. The definition of a crisis is wide-ranging and can include any painful emotions and times when you need extra support.
2. Crisis Support Services
Crisis Support Services is another 24/7 hotline. For more than 50 years, this organization has provided compassion and resources to people experiencing panic attacks, anxiety, substance use disorders, abuse, assault, suicidal thoughts, and anyone else in need of an empathetic ear.
You can call, text, or chat the Crisis Support Services: whichever mode of communication makes you feel the most comfortable. Regardless of people reach out, this organization provides free, confidential support to anyone in crisis in the state of Nevada and throughout the U.S.
3. National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine
During any difficult time, the NAMI HelpLine is available to support callers Monday through Friday, 10 am through 10 pm ET, via phone call, text, email, or live chat.
The NAMI HelpLine is a more general resource and can assist people with anxiety and other mental health conditions. Their staff and volunteers are experienced, highly trained, and care deeply about helping people find valuable resources and next steps.
4. Teen Line
For teens and young people with anxiety, Teen Line is an excellent resource. This unknown helpline is available via call, email, or text, and is led by other teens who can relate to callers’ concerns and answer their questions with honesty and care.
Teens can call this helpline for a variety of concerns and questions about anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationships, and other common hurdles in the teenage years.
Who Should I Call If I Have Anxiety?
If you have anxiety, you can call any of the national hotlines listed above, based on your specific needs and the urgency of your symptoms.
Depending on where you live, there may also be local helplines for people with anxiety. You can use a search engine to look up “anxiety hotline + your city,” or call one of the national hotlines for guidance. Crisis Text Line, Crisis Support Services, the NAMI HelpLine, and Teen Line may be able to connect you to anxiety resources and mental health providers in your area.
Are Anxiety Hotlines Free?
Incredibly, most anxiety hotlines are free of charge to users. Crisis Text Line, Crisis Support Services, the NAMI HelpLine, Teen Line, and other organizations rely on donations from individuals and charitable groups.
By providing free and confidential support for anxiety, depression, and other concerns, anxiety hotlines aim to make it easier for people to reach out for help, and to destigmatize critical conversations about mental health.
What Are The Benefits Of Anxiety Hotlines?
Beyond being free and confidential, anxiety hotlines offer several other benefits.
1. Convenience
While mental health therapy can be an invaluable part of your mental health journey, it can take time to establish a relationship with your therapist and get into the routine of therapy. When you need help in the moment, hotlines can be a convenient way to connect with a real person and find calm in an intense situation.
Many anxiety hotlines are also available after standard business hours; and, thanks to the efforts of their volunteers, some even operate 24/7. If anxiety is keeping you up at night or early in the morning, it can be comforting to know that someone is available at all hours of the day.
2. Accessibility
If your city or neighborhood lacks well-established, in-person mental health resources, anxiety hotlines make it easier affordable support for your mental health. While hotlines are not substitutes for professional therapy or medical care, they can offer further insight and connections to professional services, whether online or in your local area.
3. Unbiased Advice
Depending on your social network, you may rely on friends and loved ones for support with anxiety. But despite how much they care, the people closest to you may not have the training or knowledge to assist with your symptoms. In this case, an anxiety hotline can offer unbiased, third-party advice from a more experienced, professional lens.
4. Treatment Information
While anxiety hotlines are not substitutes for mental health treatment, they can often connect callers to qualified therapists or counselors and even help them find mental health treatment programs. In addition to these are longer-term goals, many hotlines also assist with in-the-moment needs and help you create a plan to get through a crisis.
When Should I Seek Help For Anxiety?
If anxiety is keeping you from engaging in and enjoying daily activities, it may be time to seek help.
You might feel like you’re “used to” the discomforts of anxiety and can handle these daily inconveniences, especially if you’ve lived with anxiety for a long time. But regardless of how long you’ve experienced anxiety, the decision to finally seek help can be transformative, and there’s no shame in asking for support.
While it’s entirely your decision to seek help, people often call an anxiety hotline or another mental health resource after experiencing any of the following:
A noticeable change in the severity of their symptoms
Anxiety symptoms that interfere with their personal relationships
Anxiety that affects their ability to perform at work, school, or other professional or social settings
New symptoms in addition to anxiety, such as depression or suicidal thoughts
Physical symptoms, such as poor sleep, digestive issues, or panic attacks
Opening up to someone about any of these symptoms can be a vulnerable experience, and some people prefer the innominately of an anxiety hotline.
Eventually, it may be helpful to connect with a licensed medical provider or board-certified therapist, depending on the severity of your symptoms. An anxiety helpline can gently offer advice, reassurance, and help you feel more prepared to seek professional help.
Seeking Therapy For Anxiety
If you’re calling anxiety hotlines on a regular basis and feel like your symptoms aren’t improving, it may be time to look for a more consistent form of treatment.
In addition to in-person therapy, some people prefer the ease and accessibility of online therapy. Digital platforms like BetterHelp offer convenient and affordable professional therapy, so people with anxiety and other mental health conditions can seek help regardless of their time zone and location. You can schedule live video sessions, phone calls, or use the platform to exchange messages and set up live chat.
Compared to in-person therapy, several studies show that online therapy can be just as effective. One 2020 study assessed internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and found that patients’ health anxiety improved significantly after the 12-week program. Current studies illustrate that online CBT and other therapies can increase high-quality mental health care, especially for people with limited time and financial resources.
Below are some reviews of BetterHelp therapists from people who have experienced anxiety and related issues.
“Susan is a compassionate and kind person. You can tell her anything without judgement. She listens intently, no interruptions, and gives neutral feedback in a way that can help anxious and depressed people view their own emotions with neutrality.”
“Jessica is the best! She listens and provides helpful feedback and insights. I feel less anxious and depressed since starting therapy with Jessica. She also takes the time to respond to messages with detail and care.”
Takeaway
When you need to talk to someone in a time of crisis, anxiety hotlines are available to help. These free resources can connect you to the people and information you need to start recovering from anxiety.
If you need additional, more consistent support, you may want to consider working with a professional therapist. With their compassion and guidance, you can develop a long-term plan to manage your symptoms and lessen the impact of anxiety on your daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is there a stress hotline?
Yes, there are hotlines for people experiencing stress, anxiety, and crisis situations.
If you’re experiencing high levels of stress and find yourself in a crisis, you may want to speak to someone who can provide you with emergency help. The type of stress may determine what type of help you need, but one valuable source of help in non-emergency situations is the Crisis Text Line.
The Crisis Text Line offers free support via text message 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you text HOME to 741741, a live crisis counselor will respond. They can assist you through anxiety, panic attacks, and any other painful emotions or crisis situations.
2. Is there a panic attack hotline?
Any of the crisis hotlines that are available for anxiety are also available to people who are experiencing panic attacks.
In addition to the 24-hour Crisis Text Line, you can also contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine by phone or email. The NAMI hotline is available Monday through Friday, 10 am through 10 pm ET.
3. How can I get immediate relief from anxiety?
If you are experiencing anxiety, there are a few coping mechanisms you can implement in the moment to decrease your anxiety. Some people repeat calming mantras, make a phone call to a trusted loved one, or go on a brief stroll to clear the mind.
You may also find value in deep-breathing exercises, which can ground you in the present moment and decrease your heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety levels.
4. Who do I speak to about anxiety?
If you are experiencing anxiety, you can speak to a licensed therapist about your concerns and begin building a personalized treatment plan. You may also want to speak to a primary care physician, as anxiety can affect both your mental and physical health.
Certified therapists and counselors can help treat a variety of mental health concerns, including symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. Your therapist can support you in your recovery journey and empower you to live a healthy, purposeful life.
5. How do doctors treat anxiety?
To treat anxiety, therapists use a variety of psychotherapy methods, depending on their training and educational background.
While several therapies can reduce anxiety symptoms, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the gold standard of therapy for anxiety. CBT helps patients play an active role in the treatment process, challenging them to replace negative thought patterns with positive thinking and coping mechanisms.
CBT may be able to help you reshape your thought processes, form positive coping skills, and develop a sense of confidence and control. CBT is also used as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and several other mental health conditions.
6. How do I talk to my doctor about anxiety medication?
If you’re experiencing feelings of anxiety that don’t seem to go away, it may be beneficial to talk to your doctor about anxiety medication.
When anxiety significantly affects your daily functioning and quality of life, your doctor may suggest anxiety medication to supplement therapy, self-care, and other interventions.
7. What is a medication that works for anxiety?
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), there are four major classes of medications that physicians commonly prescribe for anxiety. These include:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Benzodiazepines
Tricyclic Antidepressants
These medications can effectively treat a range of anxiety symptoms, depending on the severity as well as your medical history.
Remember that a therapist cannot prescribe any medications, so always consult your doctor for professional, personalized advice on incorporating medication into your treatment plan.
The information found in the article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have about anxiety medication and other medical concerns.
8. What are the 6 types of anxiety disorders?
Although people often use “anxiety” as a blanket term for a host of symptoms, anxiety disorders exist on a varied spectrum. Anxiety disorders are commonly divided into 6 common subtypes: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), specific phobias, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder (SAD), and separation anxiety disorder.
9. How is anxiety diagnosed?
Anxiety disorders are diagnosed by a licensed doctor, based on the criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5-TR).
Most people start by talking with their physician to rule out the possibility of another medical problem, which may involve running a few tests. If the tests show no sign of another physical ailment, then your doctor will likely conclude that your symptoms are due to an anxiety disorder. They might refer you to a therapist to treat your symptoms on a specialized level.
10. Is anxiety neurological or psychological?
Anxiety is typically considered a psychological disorder because it impacts the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects of the brain. In some cases, however, anxiety may be a symptom of or reaction to a neurological disorder, medication, or coexisting medical condition.
Compared to psychological disorders, which are typically centralized in the brain, neurological conditions affect the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Examples of neurological conditions include epilepsy, learning disabilities, brain tumors, and cerebral palsy.
11. What illnesses mimics anxiety?
Some medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism and low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, can mimic the symptoms of anxiety. If you visit your doctor to discuss your symptoms, they can help you determine if you’re experiencing an anxiety disorder or a medical condition that may have similar symptoms.
12. Can a brain scan show anxiety?
Not all mental illnesses show up on a brain scan, and researchers are still studying how anxiety manifests in the human brain. Typically, when diagnosing mental illnesses, doctors need rely on psychological assessments, physical examinations, and conversations with the patient to ensure a proper diagnosis.
Using brain scans, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine identified distinctive brain patterns that were more common in people with anxiety disorders. However, researchers still need larger samples of study participants to understand how anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses influence brain scans.
13. Do you ever recover from anxiety?
Absolutely! However, it’s important to clarify that no one can promise you a fully symptom-free recovery from anxiety. Most of us experience fleeting moments of anxiety at various points in our lives, and some people are simply more prone to anxiety than others.
With this caveat in mind, therapy can help you manage the symptoms of anxiety, develop coping strategies, and create a self-care plan for long-term mental health.
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