Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment Anxiety or worry that lasts longer than six months can affect your capacity to function as well as your relationships You can receive treatment for GAD through psychotherapy or medications Psychotherapy also known as talk therapy helps you develop healthy coping strategies It can be done face-to-face or in groups Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders, including GAD It helps you overcome the negative thoughts that contribute to your worry, and it provides you with strategies for coping and relaxation techniques It's a short-term process and can be carried out in conjunction with a therapist, or on your own Research suggests that CBT can help reduce anxiety and mood symptoms, as well as improve the quality of life after treatment These effects last for a long time However, a lack of understanding about the components of treatment that are crucial to achieving success hinders future CBT research on GAD It is essential to determine the specific processes for people with GAD, as being able to determine which patients will benefit most from these procedures The basic approach of CBT is to help the ability to recognize your uninformed or unhelpful thinking, and then to challenge your beliefs in a structured manner CBT is also focused on identifying and changing maladaptive behaviors For instance, if you believe your anxiety is a result of anticipatory distress, your therapist can help you anticipate difficult situations and prepare for them ahead of time This will help you feel more at ease and less stressed when these events happen Another component of CBT is exposure therapy It involves gradually exposing you to the things that cause your anxiety If your anxiety is provoked when you speak in public, for example you might be urged to speak out You will be exposed to your fears in a controlled manner over the course of several sessions with your therapist until you are able to tolerate them without feeling fearful Exposure therapy is frequently combined with other forms of CBT such as mindfulness techniques and reappraisal techniques These methods have been proven to increase the effectiveness of CBT for anxiety disorders However, further studies are required to discover what combinations of CBT components are most effective for reducing pathological worry specifically It is important to remember that, although most anxiety disorders have similar biological vulnerabilities, they each require a different treatment In the meantime, there is increasing interest in developing clinical techniques that are targeted to identify the most important mechanisms that cause worry in each disorder Medication The first option for treating GAD is SSRIs selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors They are antidepressants which also help to treat anxiety-related symptoms They have the most research-based evidence behind them and tend to be more effective than other options It is possible to test several different medications before you can find the right one for you These medications typically take about a month to begin 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 could result in addiction They are usually only used for short periods of time for instance, when you need relief from intense, paralyzing anxiety If you have generalized anxiety disorder, it's important to consult an expert in mental health Being treated early can help you manage your symptoms more efficiently It's also more difficult to overcome anxiety symptoms when you are waiting until they become too much You can lessen the symptoms of anxiety through medication and psychotherapy Psychotherapy talk therapy can help you learn how to manage anxiety and improve your relationships with other people Medication can relieve symptoms faster than psychotherapy The medication can be used on its own or in conjunction with psychotherapy to boost your results The signs of a generalized anxiety disorder include persistent unanswered feelings of anxiety and dread lasting more than six months These feelings can impact your work, family, and personal life Inattention, irritability and muscle tension are just a few symptoms You might be nervous about seeking assistance for your symptoms You might believe that your issue isn't serious enough, or that people will judge you as insignificant for asking for assistance In reality, most mental illness can be treated, and there's nothing wrong in seeking assistance It's usually easier to heal than you think Many different treatments are available, and the majority of people recover with the right support from friends, family and professionals There are also several self-help techniques you are able to try Counseling Although everyone experiences anxiety at times and when anxiety becomes a problem in the daily routine of a person and causes them to feel "on edge" for no apparent reason, it could be a sign of an anxiety disorder Anxiety disorders can be treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication It is crucial to seek help early because the condition can get worse over time People often don't seek treatment until their anxiety is affecting school, work or personal relationships Many people try to manage their anxiety without help, using self-help strategies like relaxation techniques However, these strategies have not been well studied in studies conducted by scientists https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-treatment , such as psychologists and psychiatrists are able to treat anxiety disorders Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT along with antidepressants, are some of the most commonly used treatments Many people fear that taking medication can cause dependence, but it is not likely if you take the medication in the prescribed manner and for the duration of an anxiety disorder CBT helps people recognize and change negative behaviors and thoughts that can cause anxiety It also teaches ways to manage difficult situations and manage stress The aim is to convince people that their fears are typically unfounded Antidepressants are helpful in treating GAD They lower serotonin levels which is a chemical found in the brain that helps reduce anxiety However, they take several weeks to work Some people are uncomfortable taking medication, particularly if they view it as a sign that they are weak or failing If anxiety is affecting a person's capacity to function or maintain healthy relationships, medication can be a temporary solution In addition to medications and psychotherapy, people with GAD can benefit from exercising as well as a healthy diet and also sleep Physical activity relieves tension and boosts feel good chemicals in the brain Dancing, walking, jumping, or even drumming are all beneficial A diet that is high in fiber and low in fat, with plenty of fruits and vegetables, can also be helpful Relaxation techniques like autogenic muscle relaxation or progressive relaxation can help relieve anxiety symptoms Meditation Everyone experiences anxiety every at times, particularly when faced with an important life event like an interview or medical test When these feelings are overwhelming and take over your daily activities, they can be an indication that you suffer from an anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder GAD is distinct from panic attack or phobia because it's not a specific thing, but rather a sense of anxiety that can affect every aspect of your life It can be physically and mentally exhausting and make it difficult to sleep or unwind There are a variety of methods to treat it, including medication and psychological therapies Cognitive behavioral therapy is a great option for people with GAD They assist in teaching you healthy coping skills and learn how to transform negative thoughts and behavior into more beneficial ones They also teach relaxation and breathing techniques to help you cope with anxiety symptoms as they manifest Medications can be helpful for those with GAD as well Certain of the drugs used to treat anxiety disorders are antidepressants, and can lessen or eliminate symptoms Some medications are sedatives that can help you sleep better Meditation is a practice that dates back to the beginning of time that can help manage anxiety It is typically practiced in a peaceful setting and involves focusing your breathing It can be used to concentrate on the present moment and reduce worry about the future or regrets from the past Meditation can take many forms, some of them associated with religions There are many alternatives that are secular Studies have shown that meditation can have a positive effect on your mood and anxiety It also alters the structure of the brain You should consult with your doctor prior to beginning meditation You may try a variety of kinds to determine the one that is most effective for your needs or they may recommend a specific kind Meditation can be a great alternative to other types of treatment, such as CBT or medication, however it's crucial to discuss your options with your mental health professional prior to beginning a new type of therapy