Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Excessive anxiety or worry that lasts longer than six months may interfere with your ability to function and impact your relationships. You can manage GAD with psychotherapy or medication.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, helps you develop healthy coping strategies. It can take place face-to-face with a therapist or in group settings.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders, such as GAD. It helps you overcome the negative thoughts which contribute to your worry and offers you coping techniques and relaxation techniques. It's short-term and can be completed by a therapist or on your own.
Research shows that CBT helps improve mood and anxiety symptoms, as well as quality of life after treatment, and these effects are sustained over time. The future of CBT research for GAD is hampered because of a lack of understanding which treatment components are necessary for successful outcomes. Specifically, it is important to identify the processes specific to the disorder and also identify which patients are most likely to benefit from those identified processes.
The fundamental idea behind CBT is that you learn to recognize your uninformed and negative thoughts, and then challenge them in a systematic way. CBT focuses on identifying abnormal behavior and modifying it. If your anxiety is caused by anxiety-related stress, your therapist will help you prepare for stressful situations in advance. This will make you feel more in charge and less anxious about the events that occur.
Exposure therapy is a different element of CBT. This involves gradually exposing yourself to the things that trigger anxiety. For instance, if you find that your anxiety is caused by public speaking, you may be urged to speak in front of an audience. 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 accept the fear without fear.
Exposure therapy is often paired with other forms of CBT like mindfulness techniques and reappraisal. Research has shown that these approaches enhance the effectiveness of CBT for anxiety disorders. Further studies are required, however, to determine what CBT components are effective in decreasing anxiety that is pathological.
It is important to keep in mind that, despite the fact that most anxiety disorders have similar biological vulnerabilities, they all require unique treatment. Therefore, there is a growing interest in developing therapeutic techniques that selectively focus on the key mechanisms that cause anxiety in each disorder.
Medication
The SSRIs are the most popular choice of treatment for GAD. These antidepressants can also help with anxiety symptoms. They are the most researched and are generally more effective than other alternatives. You may need to test various medications before you can find one that is effective for you. These medications usually 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 can lead to addiction and can have more adverse effects. They are typically only used for short periods of time like when you need relief from severe anxiety, paralyzing or threatening.
If you have generalized anxiety disorder, it's essential to speak with a mental health professional. Early treatment can help you better manage your symptoms. Waiting until anxiety symptoms become unbearable makes it much more difficult to overcome.
You can reduce anxiety symptoms by taking medication and undergoing psychotherapy. Talk therapy (psychotherapy) can help you manage your anxiety, and improve your relationships. Medication can help relieve symptoms faster than psychotherapy. You can take medications on their own or together to maximize your results.
The signs of a generalized anxiety disorder include constant, unexplained feelings of worry and dread that last for more than six months. These symptoms can impact your work, school, family and personal life. Stress, anxiety, and muscle tension are just a few symptoms.
You might be anxious about seeking treatment for your symptoms. You may feel that your symptoms are not serious enough to warrant assistance. However, the truth is that a majority of mental illness can be treated, and there's nothing wrong with seeking assistance. It's easier than you think to heal. Different types of treatments are available, and the majority of patients recover with support from friends, family and health professionals. There are also several self-help techniques you are able to try.
Counseling
Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when anxiety impacts a person's everyday life and they feel "on edge" without a clear cause. Anxiety disorders can be treated with an array of psychological therapies and medication.
It is important to seek help early, as the condition will only get worse as time passes. Many sufferers wait until their anxiety is affecting them with work, school, or personal relationships before seeking treatment. Some try to manage their anxiety without assistance with self-help strategies such as relaxation techniques. These strategies haven't been thoroughly researched in studies conducted by scientists.
Anxiety disorders are treated by many mental health professionals, including psychologists and psychiatrists. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and antidepressants are among the most commonly used treatments. Some people are concerned that taking medication could result in dependence, however it is not likely if you take the medication according to the instructions and for the duration of the anxiety disorder.
CBT helps people identify and change negative behaviors and thoughts that cause anxiety. It also teaches methods to deal with difficult situations and stress management. The aim is to convince people that their fears are typically irrational.
Antidepressants are helpful in treating GAD. They reduce the levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain. They also help reduce anxiety, although they take a few weeks to start working. Some people are uncomfortable with taking medication, particularly when they consider it an indication of failing or weakness. If anxiety is affecting a person's capacity to function or keep healthy relationships, medicine can be a temporary solution.
Exercise, a healthy diet plan, and a good night's sleep can help people with GAD. Physical activity reduces tension and stimulates the feel-good chemicals in the brain. Moving, jumping, dancing, or drumming are all effective. A low-fat, high-fiber diet which is a good source of fruits and vegetables can also aid. Relaxation techniques like autogenic muscle relaxation or progressive relaxation can also help ease anxiety symptoms.
Meditation
Everyone feels anxious at times and especially when confronted with a major life event like an interview. However, if those feelings are constant and take over daily activities, it can be an indication of an anxiety disorder referred to as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is different from a panic attack or phobia because it isn't specific to one thing but rather a feeling of anxiety that affects every aspect of your life. It can be mentally and physically exhausting and make it difficult to relax or sleep.
There are many ways to treat GAD, including psychotherapy and medications. Psychological treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy can be an ideal option for people with GAD. They help to teach you healthy coping strategies and how to change negative thoughts and behaviors to more positive ones. They also teach relaxation and breathing techniques to help you cope with anxiety symptoms when they appear.
The use of medications can be beneficial for people suffering from GAD as well. Some of the medications used to treat anxiety disorder are antidepressants, and can lessen or even eliminate your symptoms. Some medications are sedatives that can help you sleep better.
Meditation is an ancient practice that can be used to help manage anxiety. It is usually practiced in a quiet environment and involves focusing your breathing. It can be used as a way to alleviate anxiety and stress about the future or past.
There are a variety of types of meditation, and some are associated with specific religions. However, there are many secular approaches as well. The benefits of meditation are confirmed by research that proves that it alters the brain's structure and can help manage your anxiety and mood.
You should consult with your physician prior to meditation. They may recommend a particular type, or test a variety of them to determine which one is most suitable for you. Meditation can be an excellent alternative to other forms of treatments, like CBT or medication therapy. However it is essential to discuss all your options with a mental health professional prior to beginning any new form of therapy.