Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a key component of treatment for generalized anxiety disorder. Especially effective is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which examines distortions in thinking that lead to psychological problems and can help you retrain your reactions to stress and anxiety.
Therapists can also teach relaxation skills that can be used to reduce anxiety in many different situations. Examples of relaxation techniques include controlled breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation (systematic tensing and relaxing of the various muscle groups). Children can be taught relaxation skills as well, such as deep breathing, counting to 10, or visualizing a soothing place.
Generalized anxiety disorder commonly responds to certain drugs, such as antidepressants of the family that includes Prozac and Paxil, and anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax and Valium. However, medication generally is recommended only as a temporary measure to relieve symptoms at the beginning of the treatment process, with psychotherapy the key to long-term success. See the Mayo Clinic’s article on treatment for GAD for a discussion of drug alternatives and psychotherapy, as well as Psych Central’s site on generalized anxiety disorder treatment.
Along with relaxation skills, people with generalized anxiety disorder can adopt a number of effective self-help techniques. Tips for learning how to “worry well” include:
* writing down and postponing worrisome matters until your body and mind are better able to handle them,
* challenging the thoughts brought on by anxiety
* being prepared for stressful situations.
Using “self-talk” to intervene in your own anxious thoughts — forcing yourself to stop the cycle of anxiety and replace worried self-dialogue with practical dialogue — can help you learn how not to worry.
Improving physical wellness — healthy nutrition and regular exercise — is often part of an effective treatment regimen as well. Education is another important factor in controlling GAD: understanding anxiety and its physical, emotional and mental symptoms helps to reduce the person's fear of fear and feelings of guilt and frustration, and enables a more accepting and proactive response to anxiety. The Anxiety Recovery Centre in Australia cites testimony from people with generalized anxiety disorder who have regained control over their lives without the use of medication or extensive psychological treatments by learning anxiety management techniques.
2006-09-05 17:48:05
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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I don't think there is a cure for GAD other than just naturally losing your anxiety over time. I take Effexor which kills my anxiety. There are other troublesome side effects like sleepiness, sometimes I don't want to do anything like chores or go to work. Anyway, in all it is worth it. Depending on how severe your symptoms are for mild anxiety you could exercise, take supplements like GABA, St. John's Wort, Fish Oil.
2006-09-05 17:48:40
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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Wow you're lucky to have recovered so quickly! If you hadn't had the symptoms long it's easier to treat, it also has to do with mind set and your willingness to change. You are never cured of something like an anxiety disorder, you are in recovery so will always be susceptible but yeah sounds like good progress!
2016-03-17 09:04:31
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.
Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?
2016-05-16 03:08:48
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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Cure Social Anxiety Shyness : http://SocialAnxiety.uzaev.com/?ANWv
2016-06-21 00:19:49
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answer #5
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answered by Selina 3
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there are many books and self help programs dealing with anxiety....you might want to research amazon.com to see what they have and usually you can get used books at a lower price....and never stop medication without the advice of your doctor as there mite be side effects... i hope this helps
2006-09-11 17:14:32
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answer #6
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answered by asian.persuasion72 3
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i am with you on that. i would like to live my life without pills too and i also have GAD disorder.
2006-09-11 18:04:35
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answer #7
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answered by cookiejar 2
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pretty tough but it is possible to get past this...lots of exercise helped me and focusing on being as healthy as I can be...no drugs, smoking, alcohol...was miserable for 5 years and it finally started to go away after hundreds of dollars in therapy..don't know why it went away..just thankful it did...used meds when I needed the help and they made it possible for me to stay functional...get some behavior modification therapy...good luck
2006-09-05 17:51:33
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answer #8
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answered by OliveRuth 4
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Stop taking it. Then you will be MEDICINE free!
2006-09-05 17:47:49
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answer #9
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answered by jennifersuem 7
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