Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Anxiety or worry that lasts more than six months may interfere with your ability to function and affect your relationships. You can manage GAD through psychotherapy or medication.
Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, assists you to learn healthy coping skills. It can take place face-toface with a therapist, or in group settings.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is among the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders, which includes GAD. It helps you change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety and provides you with strategies for coping and relaxation techniques. It is a short-term course that can be completed with a therapist, or on your own.
Research has shown that CBT improves anxiety and mood symptoms as well as quality of life post-treatment, and these effects persist over time. The future of research on CBT for GAD is limited due to a lack of understanding of what treatment components are required to ensure success. It is important to identify the processes that are unique for GAD, as well as to determine which patients will benefit most from these processes.
The basic approach of CBT is to teach you to recognize your irrational or unhelpful thoughts and to challenge your beliefs in a structured manner. CBT is also focused on the identification and modification of maladaptive behaviors. For example, if your anxiety is related to anticipatory anxiety, your therapist will help you anticipate difficult situations and prepare for them prior to their time. This will make you feel more in charge and less anxious about the events that occur.
Another component of CBT is exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing yourself the things that trigger anxiety. For instance, if you find that your anxiety is caused by public speaking, you may be urged to speak front of a group. 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 integrated with other types of CBT like reappraisal and mindfulness techniques. These techniques have been proven to enhance the effectiveness CBT for anxiety disorders. Additional studies are needed to determine what CBT components are most effective in alleviating anxiety caused by pathological conditions.
It is important to note that even though the majority of anxiety disorders share common biological weaknesses but each disorder has distinct treatment requirements. There is an increasing interest in the development of techniques that specifically target the mechanisms that create the anxiety of each disorder.
Medication
The first option to treat GAD is SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). These are antidepressants that also work to treat anxiety symptoms. They have the most research-based evidence on their side and are believed to be more effective than other options. It is possible to test several medications before you find the right one for your needs. These medications take about a month to start working.
You can find other medication options if you don't respond to the SSRIs, such as SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) or anxiolytics (benzodiazepines). However, benzodiazepines are more prone to negative side effects than other drugs and can lead to addiction. They are only prescribed for short periods, such as when you suffer from severe anxiety that is paralyzing.
If you have generalized anxiety disorder, it's crucial to consult an expert in mental health. Getting treatment early will aid in managing your symptoms more effectively. It's also a lot harder to conquer anxiety symptoms when you put off treatment until they become unbearable.
There are a variety of ways to reduce the symptoms of anxiety including psychotherapy and medications. Talk therapy (psychotherapy) can help you control your anxiety and improve your relationships. Medication can help relieve your symptoms quicker than psychotherapy. You can use medications alone or in combination to maximize your results.
Symptoms include persistent, unexplained feelings such as worry and dread that last more than six month. These symptoms can impact your school, work or family life, as well as your personal. Symptoms include restlessness, difficulty concentrating and concentrating, muscle tension, irritability and fatigue. You may also experience trouble sleeping.
You might feel anxious about seeking help for your symptoms. You may feel that your symptoms aren't sufficient to warrant seeking help. However, the truth is that a majority of mental illness is treatable and there's nothing wrong in seeking assistance. It's more common to heal than you think. Several different types of treatments are available, and a majority of people recover with the right support from family, friends and health professionals. You can also try several self-help techniques.
Counseling
While everyone feels anxious from time to time, when anxiety interferes with a person's daily life and makes them feel "on edge" without any reason, it could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can be treated with a combination of medication and psychological therapy.
Getting help early is important, since the condition gets worse with time. Most people don't seek help until their anxiety is affecting work, school or personal relationships. Some people attempt to manage their anxiety without help by using self-help techniques such as relaxation techniques. These strategies have not been thoroughly examined in studies conducted by scientists.
Many mental health professionals, like psychiatrists and psychologists are able to treat anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and antidepressants are among the most commonly used treatments. Some people are concerned that taking medication can lead to dependence, but this is unlikely if taken according to the instructions and for the duration of an anxiety disorder.
CBT helps people recognize and alter negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety. It also teaches stress management skills and strategies for dealing with stressful situations. The aim is to convince people that their fears are often unreasonable.
Antidepressants can be beneficial in treating GAD. They lower serotonin levels, a chemical in the brain that can reduce anxiety. However, they take several weeks to take effect. IamPsychiatry feel uncomfortable taking medication, particularly if they view it as an indication that they are weak or failing. However, if anxiety is interfering with the ability of someone to perform and maintain healthy relationships, it's worth a try medicine as a short-term measure.
In addition to medications and psychotherapy, those suffering from GAD can benefit from exercising and a balanced diet and a good night's sleep. Physical activity reduces tension and increases feel-good chemical levels in the brain. Walking and jumping up and down, dancing or drumming are all effective. A low-fat, high-fiber and low-fat diet that is a good source of vegetables and fruits can help. Practicing relaxation techniques, such as autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation, can also help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.
Meditation
Everyone feels anxious now and then, especially in the face of a significant life event such as a job interview or a medical test. If these anxieties become overwhelming and dominate your daily life it could be a sign that you have an anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is different from a panic attack or phobia because it's not specific to one thing, but rather a sense of anxiety that can affect every aspect of your life. It can be mentally and physically exhausting and make it difficult to rest or sleep.
There are many ways to treat it including psychological treatments and medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a great option for people with GAD. They can teach you how to deal with negative thoughts and behavior and how to transform them into more helpful ones. They can teach you breathing and relaxation techniques to aid in managing anxiety symptoms.
Medications can be helpful for people suffering from GAD as well. Certain medications used to treat anxiety disorders are antidepressants, which can lessen or eliminate your symptoms. Some act as sedatives and can help you have a better night's rest.
Meditation is a meditative practice that can aid in managing anxiety. It is usually done in a quiet environment and involves focusing your breath. It can be used to ease anxiety and stress about the future or past.
Meditation comes in many forms, with some related to religions. There are a variety of secular approaches. Research shows that meditation can have a positive effect on your mood and anxiety. It also changes the structure of the brain.
You should consult with your doctor prior to beginning meditation. They might recommend a specific kind, or you could test a variety of them to determine which one works best for you. Meditation can be a great supplement to other forms of treatment, such as CBT, medication, and therapy. However it is essential to discuss all options with a mental health professional before beginning any new form of therapy.