How to Treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at times - and there could be reasons to be worried. However, those who suffer from GAD are in an ongoing anxiety-like state that can affect their work, school and relationships.
GAD could be triggered by genetics, trauma or chronic medical ailments. Treatment options include psychotherapy and medication.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications used to treat GAD and it's recommended to speak with your doctor about the benefits and adverse effects of these drugs. Generally, the first medications that are tried for anxiety disorders are antidepressants in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) classes. These drugs are effective in reducing anxiety, and can also help improve depression and other mental health disorders. These drugs are typically used for a short time and are usually coupled with psychotherapy.
SSRIs are effective in blocking serotonin transporters that are presynaptic so that serotonin is readily available for release, and SNRIs block the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine to increase neurotransmitter availability. Both have been proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders, including GAD. They are often the preferred first-line treatment for psychiatric disorders, like panic disorder and major depression (MDD). These medications include escitalopram (also known as citalopram), sertraline (also known as sertraline) duloxetine, fluoxetine, and venlafaxine. In addition, agomelatine, a melatonin-1/melatonin-2 agonist and 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, has been found to be efficacious in treating anxiety disorders, although it is more commonly used for the treatment of depression.
It's important to remember that the majority of people with anxiety disorders don't respond to treatment with medications at first. It can take up to six weeks before symptoms improve. Therefore, it's important to stick to your treatment plan. If you don't see improvement after a few weeks, talk with your doctor about changing your dosage or taking another medication.
Certain older antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors are sometimes effective in treating anxiety disorders. These medications are not as effective as SSRIs or SNRIs. They are more likely to cause sedation and could cause more serious adverse reactions than the more recent medications.
There is also limited research on the effectiveness of clonidine and guanfacine for the treatment of anxiety. Nevertheless, many studies indicate that these drugs are more effective than placebos. Adding psychotherapy to the use of these drugs increases the frequency of treatment and reduces side effects.
Talking therapy
GAD is a very common mental health issue however, it can be difficult to treat. There are several treatment options. Medications are commonly used to reduce anxiety symptoms, while self-help techniques and talking therapy can aid in managing symptoms over time. Support groups are available to people with GAD.
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to moment. However, people with GAD suffer from constant anxiety that affects their daily life. Anxiety, irritability and muscle tension are just a few of the symptoms. Most often, the thoughts are focused on everyday issues such as work-related responsibilities, family health and other minor things, like chores, car repairs and appointments.
GAD sufferers might not know the source of their anxiety, and these symptoms can last for up to six months. They may avoid situations that trigger anxiety. Symptoms of this disorder tend to be noticed in childhood or adolescence. The symptoms may worsen during times of stress or illness, and may even persist into adulthood.
GAD may affect some people more than others. However, there is no cause for this. Some theories suggest that it may be a genetic predisposition, or some combination of factors such as temperament or environmental influences. A traumatizing event or major life change such as divorce or the death of a loved can also trigger the disorder.
There are many ways to combat GAD. However, a combination of treatments is most efficient. Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), can be an effective method to manage your anxiety. This kind of therapy helps you recognize and change negative thought patterns which lead to anxiety. It can help you learn to confront your fears, instead of avoiding them, in a secure setting.
Making the effort to reduce anxiety can help you lead a healthier and happier life. You can try exercise or meditation to relax your mind and body. You can also spend time with friends and family to keep from feeling isolated. You might also try a relaxing method, such as deep breathing or guided visualization. You can join a support group for anxiety to find compassion and understanding from others who have had similar experiences.
Self-help groups
Everyone feels nervous or anxious at times and these feelings are a normal part of life. However, those with GAD are constantly battling with excessive, unrealistic worries that they cannot manage. They believe that bad things will happen, and their anxiety interferes with their daily routines. The symptoms last for a minimum of six months and are not triggered by a medical condition.
There are many ways to treat GAD. The first is psychotherapy or "talk therapy," which is a kind of treatment that requires talking to a mental health professional, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. It can help you learn to recognize and change negative thoughts, emotions and behavior. Psychotherapy can help you learn coping techniques, such as relaxation or stress management techniques.
Another approach to treat GAD is to use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps you recognize and challenge your maladaptive thinking patterns. It can help you gain control over your anxiety, and eventually return to activities that you had avoided because of anxiety. CBT can be incorporated to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Medication is typically the most effective treatment for GAD. Treatments in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) classes are generally first-line treatments, including escitalopram (Lexapro), duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and paroxetine (Paxil and Pexeva). Antidepressants can reduce anxiety by altering the balance of chemicals within your brain.
Self-help groups are an excellent option for those who can't afford a professional therapist or don't wish to commit to talk therapy. These groups meet regularly to provide assistance to those suffering from the same condition. Some groups are led by professionals while others are self-organized and informal. Meetings usually last about one and a half hours and participants are able to share their experiences with one others. Most groups accept donations, and some have no charges at all.
A few factors that contribute to GAD include genetics, a person's temperament and even environmental factors. For example the child could develop anxiety if their parents suffer from the disorder. An event that is traumatic can trigger anxiety. Certain diseases that are underlying such as an overactive thyroid gland, can also increase the likelihood of developing this condition.
Psychotherapy
The most effective form of psychotherapy for GAD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It teaches you specific skills to aid you in managing your anxiety. CBT assists you to gradually resume activities that you had to avoid due to anxiety-related symptoms. As time passes your anxiety will decrease as you build up on your successes. It is important to work closely with your mental health professional to ensure that you're following the treatment plan and not relying on herbal remedies or supplements to treat your anxiety, because they could interfere with your medication.
In a recent systematic review and network meta-analysis randomized clinical trials, CBT was associated with both acute and long-term effectiveness and acceptability in treating generalized anxiety disorder in adults. A variety of CBT treatments were found to be effective, including cue control, alternative self-statements and relaxation training. Other psychotherapies, like interpersonal therapy and schematherapy, were also found to be highly effective.
Psychodynamic therapy is a psychological treatment that helps you identify negative behavior patterns that are rooted in your past experiences. This treatment makes use of open-ended questions that reveal unconscious patterns contributing to anxiety. Interpersonal therapy can help you improve your relationships with other people.
Schema therapy assists you in overcoming abnormal behaviors and thoughts that are linked to childhood traumas. It is commonly used to address unresolved childhood traumas. However, treatment for panic and anxiety attacks can also be beneficial in treating anxiety disorders. During the schema sessions, your therapist will guide your eye movements to help you process your trauma in a manner that does not trigger anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety can be a crippling issue. It is crucial to seek treatment as soon as you can. You can manage your anxiety with the right treatment and lead a happy and full life. If you're suffering from anxiety, contact Active Path Mental Health today for more information about our services and to set up an initial appointment. We have offices in Oregon and Washington and we are here to help you regain control of your life.