In its simplest terms Generalized Anxiety Disorder is anxiety overshoot. It is anxiety overextending its invitation, and overstaying its welcome (not that it is welcome any time). It is anxiety 24 by 7.
Everyone feels anxious at some point of time in their lives. That is normal, and even serves to help us on occasion.
But if one were to experience that feeling every hour of their waking time, with no obvious or apparent reason for feeling that way, it is no longer just anxiety, but has progressed to being a disorder that has its own clinical name: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD.
While a qualified physician must determine whether one suffers from GAD or not, if you believe you may be experiencing the symptoms of a general anxiety disorder, there are some treatment options you can try to see if any of them alleviate your symptoms or your suffering.
GENERAL ANXIETY DISORDER TREATMENT OPTIONS
Here are some ideas you can consider for generalized anxiety disorder treatment:
- Relaxation Techniques: If your symptoms are not too severe, relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation are by far the best way to calm your nerves, as a long-term strategy. Consider enrolling in a yoga or a meditation class, or you can even learn the basics online, although it takes more determination to do it that way. But the effort could well be worth it in the long run, especially as you begin to notice your symptoms easing down.
- Make Acquaintance with Nature: Try to “get away” from it for a while, if you can, by taking a vacation to a nature spot. A state park resort with plenty of greenery, or a not-too-crowded beach resort are some places you can consider. If that is not feasible, you can try taking long walks more closer to home, like in your local park, in the morning or evening as your schedule permits. You can also work on hobbies like gardening.
- Eliminate Common Anxiety Triggers: Make lifestyle changes by eliminating anxiety triggers like caffeine and alcohol from your life. Improve your diet, and get involved in a regular exercise regimen as is practicable for your condition.
COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
If the above generalized anxiety disorder treatment options don’t seem to be doing it for you, your physician may suggest Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
CBT involves identifying and understanding the negative or exaggerated thought patterns that currently trigger your anxiety. It usually takes several sessions with your therapist, typically held weekly, before you start to notice any changes in your thinking.
Additionally, depending on the severity of your condition, medications like antidepressants and beta blockers may also be prescribed for immediate symptomatic relief. These are usually recommended to be taken in conjunction with CBT sessions, to serve as a long-term strategy for generalized anxiety disorder treatment.
ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES
There are also other natural treatment options that are available for anxiety treatment. The main advantages of such techniques are, they are generally devoid of side effects that may typically be caused by medications.
