Residential Mental Health Treatment in Haverhill, MA
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a persistent and excessive worry that interferes with daily life. Unlike situational anxiety, GAD involves chronic fear and tension about a variety of everyday concerns — including work, health, finances, relationships, or the future — even when no clear threat is present. This constant state of mental and physical arousal can lead to fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and emotional burnout.
Serenity at Summit New England, located in Haverhill, Massachusetts, provides short-term residential mental health treatment for individuals suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Our comprehensive program supports patients who need stabilization, structure, and clinical tools to quiet anxious thinking and rebuild mental clarity and calm.
What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
GAD is one of the most common anxiety disorders, affecting nearly 7 million adults in the U.S. It is characterized by worry that is excessive, difficult to control, and disproportionate to actual events. This worry occurs on more days than not for at least six months and is typically accompanied by physical symptoms and mental distress.
Common symptoms of GAD include:
- Persistent worry or fear, often “free-floating”
- Restlessness or feeling “on edge”
- Muscle tension or unexplained aches
- Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling or staying asleep)
- Fatigue and irritability
- Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
- Overthinking worst-case scenarios
People with GAD often describe their thoughts as a “mental loop” they can’t shut off. They may appear high-functioning outwardly, but experience internal distress that makes daily life exhausting and unpredictable.
GAD vs. Other Anxiety Disorders
While GAD shares features with other anxiety conditions, it has its own clinical profile. Below is a table that compares GAD to Panic Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder:
| Feature | Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Panic Disorder | Social Anxiety Disorder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Concern | Chronic, widespread worry | Sudden, intense panic attacks | Fear of being judged in social situations |
| Onset | Gradual, often in adolescence or adulthood | Sudden episodes | Triggered by social or performance settings |
| Common Symptoms | Fatigue, tension, rumination | Shortness of breath, chest pain | Blushing, trembling, avoidance |
| Treatment Response | CBT, medication, mindfulness | CBT, interoceptive exposure, meds | CBT, social skills training, meds |
Generalized Anxiety in Massachusetts
According to state health surveys, anxiety disorders are the most commonly reported mental health issue among adults in Massachusetts. In Essex County, residents face long waitlists for mental health care, which worsens outcomes for those with high-functioning but persistent anxiety. GAD often goes undiagnosed or minimized, leading to prolonged suffering and comorbid depression, insomnia, or chronic pain.
Serenity at Summit offers immediate access to structured care for patients who need more than weekly outpatient sessions, especially when their anxiety has disrupted sleep, productivity, or relationships.
When to Consider Residential Treatment for GAD
Residential treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder may be necessary when:
- Outpatient therapy or medication has failed to provide relief
- Worry interferes with work, parenting, or relationships
- There are co-occurring conditions such as OCD, trauma, or depression
- The individual experiences emotional or physical burnout
- There is a need for medication adjustment in a controlled setting
Our 21–35 day inpatient program is designed to break the cycle of anxious thinking, rebuild emotional regulation, and restore a sense of calm and control.
How We Treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Our trauma-informed, evidence-based model of care targets both the cognitive and physiological components of GAD. We support patients through intensive therapy, skills development, and psychiatric management in a safe, nurturing environment.
Treatment includes:
- Psychiatric evaluation: Medication review and diagnostic clarity
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identify and reframe worry-driven thoughts
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Support presence and distress tolerance
- Somatic interventions: Release muscle tension and manage physical symptoms
- Sleep hygiene coaching: Support healthy rest as a foundation of recovery
- Group therapy: Peer support for normalization and insight-building
- Optional exposure tasks: To reduce avoidance of anxiety triggers
Our clinical team works collaboratively with each patient to set realistic goals, build confidence, and establish habits that sustain wellness post-discharge.
Discharge Planning and Long-Term Management
Because GAD is chronic, effective aftercare is key to long-term recovery.
Our team provides:
- Referrals to outpatient therapists specializing in anxiety
- Psychiatry connections for continued medication management
- Relaxation and breathing tools for ongoing practice
- Telehealth options for ongoing coaching and therapy
- Daily routines to prevent relapse or emotional overload
We also work with families or employers (with patient permission) to ensure reintegration is supportive and well-structured.
Why Choose Serenity at Summit in Haverhill?
At Serenity at Summit, our entire program is dedicated to psychiatric care, not addiction, which means we are well-equipped to treat high-functioning anxiety without requiring substance use disorders. Our peaceful residential setting allows patients to rest, reset, and return home with real tools for emotional stability.
Key benefits include:
- Safe, comfortable facility in Haverhill, MA
- Clinical staff with expertise in mood and anxiety disorders
- Short-term length of stay for stabilization and strategy building
- Trauma-informed care that supports self-compassion and progress
You Don’t Have to Live in Constant Worry
Generalized Anxiety Disorder can make life feel like a never-ending cycle of fear and fatigue. But there is hope. With the right environment, clinical support, and daily structure, it is possible to reduce worry, increase calm, and reclaim your life.
📍 Address: 61 Brown Street, Haverhill, MA 01830
📞 Call: 978-312-9830
🌐 Website: www.serenityatsummit.com
Contact Serenity At Summit
If constant anxiety is impacting your ability to focus, connect, or rest, we’re here to help. Contact Serenity at Summit today to explore residential care in Haverhill, MA.
Peace of mind isn’t a fantasy. It’s a goal — and we can help you reach it.
