Treat mental health conditions the same as you would any other disease. When they become obvious or debilitating, don’t ignore them. Seek professional treatment. Anxiety disorders range in severity, but those with moderate to severe symptoms may benefit from inpatient mental health support.
At Willow Creek Behavioral Health, we offer inpatient care in Green Bay, Wisconsin, when stabilizing mental health disorders in a safe, secure environment is necessary. That includes extreme anxiety and depression. If you are unsure if you need help, call 988 or contact us for immediate support.
What Are Signs of Extreme Anxiety
Anxiety is a healthy emotion in most people. It’s your brain’s way of warning you to take action to safeguard your well-being. Among those who were at least 18 years old in 2025, about 79.1% suffered from no or mild anxiety. About 14.3% suffered from mild symptoms and 6.6% suffered from severe symptoms, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Anxiety becomes a mental health disorder when the symptoms interfere with rational thoughts and behaviors. The following are signs of moderate to extreme anxiety disorder:
- Physical signs such as a racing heart and palpitations, changes in breathing patterns, and muscle tension
- Changes in nervous system response, such as tingling in hands and feet, heavy and sudden onset of sweating, dizziness, and feeling faint
- Impossible-to-ignore sense of impending doom, often of losing control, dying, or something catastrophic happening
- Panic attacks involving surges of terror and intense physical response often without an obvious cause
- Inability to calm yourself, including feeling constantly on edge and restless
- Cognitive overload resulting in obsessive overthinking or concentration concerns
- Paralyzing avoidance, often doing so to extremes to avoid places, people, or situations that could trigger a panic attack
- Compulsive actions such as repetitive actions or constant checking behaviors that could neutralize anxiety
- Functional impairment including inability to work, maintain relationships, or handle basic tasks
In these situations, you may feel an intense loss of control. Some are short-term events, lasting a few minutes or longer. Other times, you may feel a constant state of anxiety with ebbs and flows of severity. In all cases, the world feels incredibly scary and overwhelming.
Critical Warning Signs You Need Hospitalization for Anxiety
Most people do not require immediate hospitalization for anxiety symptoms. However, you may benefit from inpatient anxiety treatment when your symptoms magnify and result in any of the following:
- Risk of self-harm: You (or your loved one) express thoughts of harming yourself or others. They may speak about having a plan.
- Extreme exhaustion: Struggling with an inability to sleep for several days or crashing from emotional stress and strain.
- Loss of touch with reality: Showing indications of confusion or psychosis.
- Not meeting basic needs: Inability to eat, drink, or maintain hygiene. No longer being able to remain safe.
In these situations, a person’s mental and physical well-being may be at risk. Professional treatment may be a critical step towards safeguarding life. When you are at risk like this, don’t be afraid to reach out for immediate help from Willow Creek, 988, or the local emergency room.
What Happens When You’re Hospitalized for Anxiety?
Once you seek help for extreme anxiety, you can expect immediate help. This often begins with a physical assessment. After ruling out any emergency or life-threatening health condition, a psychological assessment helps identify what may be happening. It takes time for a formal diagnosis to occur. In the meantime, you can expect:
- 24/7 monitoring to ensure you are safe
- Medications to ease physical and mental health symptoms you have
- One-on-one therapy and sessions with peers to open the door for critical conversations
- Structured and predictable daily routines to help create stability
- A safe, welcoming, and compassionate location to live in while you are working towards your stability
Inpatient mental health treatment at Willow Creek Behavioral Health is not just intense therapy. You’ll have access to holistic therapies and skill-building programs. You’ll also have access to group and family therapy to help you build a better future.
During treatment, you’ll learn new skills and have ample support navigating your challenges. You’ll work with therapists, psychiatrists, and mental health technicians in creating a strong path forward. We help you get well.
Seek an Assessment for Mental Health Treatment
Your first step is to make a phone call. Contact us 24/7 for a no-cost, in-person mental health evaluation. During your initial, confidential phone call, you will learn what we can offer and what your next steps are. You don’t have to make a fast decision. However, we offer those in need immediate support. Contact Willow Creek Behavioral Health now.
