Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment

A high level of anxiety or worry that lasts longer than six months can cause problems your ability to function and affect your relationships. You can manage GAD through psychotherapy or medication.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) helps you develop healthy coping mechanisms. It can be conducted face-to-face or in groups.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders, such as GAD. It helps you change the negative thoughts that can cause anxiety and provides you with strategies for coping and relaxation. It is a short-term program that can be completed with a therapist or on your own.

Research has shown that CBT can reduce mood and anxiety symptoms as well as improve the quality of life following treatment. These effects are sustained over time. However the lack of knowledge about which treatment components are crucial to achieving success hinders future CBT-related research on GAD. Particularly, it is essential to identify processes that are specific to the disorder, as well as identify which patients are most likely to benefit from those identified processes.

The fundamental concept behind CBT is to teach you to recognize your unreasonable and negative thoughts, and then challenge them in a structured manner. CBT is also focused on identifying and changing maladaptive behaviors. For instance, if your anxiety is caused by anticipatory anxiety, your therapist will help you anticipate difficult situations and prepare for them in advance. This will allow you to feel more in control and less anxious when these events happen.

Another element of CBT is exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing yourself to the things that trigger anxiety. If your anxiety is provoked when you speak in public, for instance you may be urged to speak up. You will be exposed to your fears in a controlled way over the course of several sessions with your therapist until you are able to tolerate them without fear.

Exposure therapy is often combined with other forms of CBT like mindfulness techniques and reappraisal. Research has proven that these approaches enhance the effectiveness of CBT for anxiety disorders. Further studies are required to determine what CBT components are effective in alleviating anxiety caused by pathological conditions.

It is important to keep in mind that, although most anxiety disorders have similar biological vulnerabilities, they each require different treatment. There is a growing interest in developing strategies that focus on specific mechanisms that cause worry for each disorder.

Medication

The first option for treating GAD is SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). They are antidepressants which also aid in treating anxiety-related symptoms. They have the most research-based evidence behind them and tend to be more effective than other alternatives. You may have to try several different medications before you find one that is effective for you. These medications typically require a month of time to work.

You can find other medication options if you don't respond to the SSRIs, such as SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) or anxiolytics (benzodiazepines). Benzodiazepines may cause addiction and can have more adverse effects. They are only prescribed for brief durations, like when you have severe paralyzing anxiety.

It is crucial to talk to a mental health specialist if you suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. Early treatment can help you manage your symptoms. It's also more difficult to conquer anxiety symptoms if you wait until they become unbearable.

There are a myriad of things you can do to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, including psychotherapy and taking medications. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can help you understand how to treat anxiety without medication to manage your anxiety and improve your relationships with other people. The use of medication can alleviate your symptoms more quickly than psychotherapy. You can use medications alone or in combination to maximize your results.

The symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include persistent, unexplained feelings of worry and dread that last for more than six months. These thoughts can impact your work, family and your personal life. Some of the symptoms are restlessness, trouble in concentration, muscle tension, irritability, fatigue and difficulty sleeping.

You may be anxious about seeking assistance to address your symptoms. You may think that your symptoms aren't serious enough to warrant help. The truth is that most mental illness can be treated, and there's nothing wrong with seeking help. It's more common to get better than you might think. Many different treatments are available, and the majority of patients recover with assistance from family, friends and health professionals. You can also try several self-help techniques.

Counseling

Everyone experiences anxiety at times, when anxiety interferes with the person's life and makes them feel "on edge" for no apparent reason, it may be an indication of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are treated by a combination of medication and psychological therapies.

It is essential to seek help early since the condition will only get worse as time passes. Most people don't seek help until their worries interfere with work, school or personal relationships. Some people attempt to reduce anxiety by with self-help methods, like relaxation techniques. These strategies have not been thoroughly examined in research studies.

Many mental health professionals, like psychiatrists and psychologists deal with anxiety disorders. Some of the most common treatments are cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and antidepressants. Many people worry that taking medication will cause dependence however this is not likely if a person is taking the medication as prescribed and only for the duration of the anxiety disorder.

CBT helps people learn to recognize and alter negative thoughts and behaviors that create anxiety. It also helps people learn how to cope in stressful situations and to manage stress. The goal is to teach people that their fears are usually unfounded.

Antidepressants can be helpful in treating GAD. They lower the levels of serotonin which is a chemical found in the brain that helps reduce anxiety. However, they can take several weeks to work. Some people are uncomfortable with taking medication, especially if they see it as a sign of failing or weakness. If anxiety is affecting someone's capacity to function or keep healthy relationships, medication can be a temporary solution.

In addition to medications and psychotherapy, people with GAD can benefit from exercise as well as a healthy diet and sleep. Physical activity eases tension and increases the levels of feel-good chemicals in the brain. Walking or jumping up and down, or dancing or drumming are all beneficial. A low-fat, high-fiber and low-fat diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables can also aid. Relaxation techniques such as autogenic muscle relaxation or progressive muscle relaxation can help relieve anxiety symptoms.

Meditation

Everyone experiences anxiety at times and especially when confronted with major life events like a job interview. However, when these feelings become constant and overwhelm daily activities, it can be an indication of anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD isn't the same as a panic attack or phobia because it's a generalized feeling of anxiety that affects every aspect of life. It can be mentally and physically exhausting making it difficult to relax or sleep.

There are a myriad of methods to treat GAD, including medications and psychological treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a good alternative for people suffering from GAD. They help to teach you healthy coping strategies and how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors into more helpful ones. They also teach breathing techniques and relaxation techniques to help you manage anxiety symptoms as they manifest.

Medications can be helpful for people suffering from GAD as well. Some medications that are used to treat anxiety disorders are antidepressants which can lessen or eliminate the symptoms. Other medications act as sedatives, and can help you to have a better night's rest.

Meditation is a meditative practice that can aid in managing anxiety. It's typically done in a calm environment and involves focusing on your breathing. It can be used to ease stress and worry about the future or the past.

Meditation can take many forms, with some connected to religions. There are a variety of secular approaches. The benefits of meditation are backed by research that proves that it changes the brain's structure and can help to reduce anxiety and moods.

You should talk to your doctor before you start meditating. You may try a variety of kinds to determine the one that works best for you or they might suggest a specific kind. Meditation can be an excellent alternative to other forms of treatment, like CBT or medication, however it's crucial to discuss your options with your mental health professional before beginning a new method of therapy.