Treatment

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Understanding GAD
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress
• Myths & Realities
• Resources

Treatment Information

A number of types of treatment can help with GAD. Supportive and interpersonal therapy can help. Cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) has been more researched and specifically targets thoughts, physical symptoms and behaviors including the over-preparation, planning and avoidance that characterizes GAD. Mindfulness based approaches and Acceptance Commitment Therapy have also been investigated with positive outcome. All therapies (sometimes in different ways) help people change their relationship to their symptoms. They help people to understand the nature of anxiety itself, to be less afraid of the presence of anxiety, and to help people make choices independent of the presence of anxiety. The adult CBT treatments for GAD have been modified for children and teens and show positive outcomes.

There are a number of medication choices for GAD, usually the SSRIs either alone or in combination with therapy.  

Relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, exercise, and other alternative treatments may also become part of a treatment plan.

Other anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse often accompany GAD, which rarely occurs alone; co-occurring conditions must also be treated with appropriate therapies.

Learn more about treating GAD and other anxiety disorders

Learn some tips to manage anxiety and stress better

ADAA Resources

Webinars:

• Book Conversations - 3 Part Series on Overcoming Anxiety
• Calming the Inner-Chatter of Your Mind
• Thriving with Anxiety and Depression
• What Are Intrusive Thoughts and How Can You Deal with Them?
• Outsmart Your Anxious Brain
• The Mindful Way Through Anxiety
• Get Unstuck from Depression and Anxiety with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Building the Confidence to Manage Anxiety, ADHD, and Executive Function

Blogs:

• “Is This All My Fault?” Addressing the Myth that CBT Blames People for Their Problems
• Learning to Live Well with Worry
• Why Anxiety Should Not Be Feared
• SSRIs and Benzodiazepines for General Anxiety Disorders (GAD)

Trending articles:

• 11/09/2022 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction vs Escitalopram for the Treatment of Adults With Anxiety Disorders, JAMA Psychiatry, Elizabeth Hoge, MD
• 11/09/2022 Mindfulness meditation reduces anxiety as much as a common antidepressant drug, study finds, CNBC, Elizabeth Hoge, MD