Home Mental Health AnxietyGeneralized Anxiety Treatment

Generalized Anxiety Treatment

12 Minutes

Edited & clinically reviewed by THE BALANCE Team

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CONTENTS

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects 3-6 percent of adults and 5 percent of children and teenagers, according to most estimates. Although figures vary, a GAD occurrence of 3 percent in children and 10.8 percent in teenagers has been suggested. GAD usually appears in adolescents and children between the ages of eight and nine.

Figures of GAD prevalence or lifetime risk differ, based on whether diagnostic criteria have been used to diagnose GAD (e.g., DSM-5 vs. ICD-10), albeit estimations do not differ significantly. Because ICD-10 is more comprehensive than DSM-5, projections of lifetime risk and prevalence are often higher while using ICD-10. In terms of prevalence, it has been estimated that roughly two percent of adults in the US and Europe live with GAD in any given year. The probability of acquiring GAD at any time in life, though, is considered to be 9 percent.

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Psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment are the two major types of conventional therapeutic interventions. In addition to the aforementioned conventional treatment modalities, alternative and complementary medications (CAMs), Transcranial stimulation, exercising, deep tissue massage, and other strategies have been suggested for further exploration and are all under active research. Psychotherapy and medicinal therapy can be used together and is a common practice. Anxiety management has been demonstrated to be effective with both cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and prescription medications (like SSRIs). Treatment that incorporates both medication and CBT is typically regarded as the best option. Medication can help patients participate in CBT more effectively by lowering their severe anxiety levels.

Psychotherapy intervention strategies are a variety of therapy types that differ in terms of their specific techniques for facilitating people to gain an understanding of the functioning of the subconscious and conscious mind, as well as the correlation between behavior and cognition. For managing GAD, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is largely viewed as the first-line psychotherapy treatment. Most of these psychological therapies can also be provided in individual or group therapy setups. While both group and individual therapy are generally thought to be helpful for reducing GAD, individual counseling helps to promote more sustained participation in therapy.

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a form of psychotherapy based on Freudian psychoanalysis in which a therapist helps a person discover various aspects of their subconsciousness in order to reduce conflicts that may occur between both the subconscious and conscious mind. In the case of GAD, the psychoanalytic perspective of anxiety proposes that worry is a defense mechanism used by the unconscious mind to avert feelings of frustration or hostility, which could lead to isolation or other negative self-attribution. As a result, different psychodynamic therapies seek to investigate the basis of worry in GAD in order to help clients to change their subconscious behavior of utilizing worry as a defense mechanism and, as a result, reduce GAD symptoms. A short-term version of psychotherapy known as “short-term anxiety-provoking psychotherapy” is one variant of psychotherapy (STAPP).

Behavioral therapy

Behavioral therapy is a type of treatment based on the idea that anxiety is learned by classical conditioning (for example, in response to one or more bad events) and sustained with operant conditioning (for example, one learns that ignoring a particularly provoking experience prevents anxiety). As a result, behavioral therapy allows a person to re-learn fear response (habits) and so confront behaviors that are now conditioned reactions to anxiety and fear and have formerly resulted in more maladaptive behaviors.

Cognitive therapy

Cognitive therapy (CT) is based on the assumption that anxiety is caused by unwanted thoughts and thought patterns. As a result, CT entails supporting people in identifying more reasonable patterns of thinking and substituting unhealthy thought patterns (i.e., cognitive biases) with healthy alternatives (for example, catastrophizing is a cognitive error that can be replaced with a more constructive cognitive practice.). CT students start to recognize objective data, test theories and eventually understand maladaptive thinking processes so that they can be confronted and transformed.

Acceptance and commitment therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of behavioral therapy that uses acceptance-based concepts. ACT was created with three restorative goals in mind: (1) reducing the use of ignoring strategies to ignore emotions, thoughts, experiences, and feelings; (2) reducing an individual’s literal reaction to their ideas (e.g., recognizing that trying to think “I’m hopeless” doesn’t really mean that the individual’s life is actually useless); and (3) growing an individual’s capacity to maintain commitments to change their behaviors. These objectives are achieved by shifting the person’s focus from trying to control events to focusing on modifying their behavior and focusing on important directions and goals in their lives, as well as dedicating to behaviors that will assist the individual to achieve those personal objectives. This psychological therapy emphasizes mindfulness (paying close attention to purpose, at the moment, and without judgment) and acceptance (responsiveness and readiness to maintain contact) techniques for dealing with uncontrollable circumstances and, as a result, generating actions that embody personal ideals.

Intolerance of uncertainty therapy

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is a negative response to ambiguous and uncertain events that occur irrespective of their probability of occurring. For GAD sufferers, Intolerance of Uncertainty Therapy (IUT) is utilized as a stand-alone intervention. In order to alleviate anxiety, IUT aims at helping individuals in acquiring the ability to endure, cope with, and accept unpredictability in their lives. Psychoeducation, fear awareness, problem-solving tutoring, re-evaluation of the relevance of concern, imagining simulated exposure, appreciation of unpredictability, and behavioral exposure are all psychological elements of IUT. Studies have indicated that this medication is effective in treating GAD patients, with continuing improvements over time.

Motivational interviewing

Combining CBT with motivational interviewing (MI) is an exciting new technique to boost clinical outcomes for GAD management. Motivational interviewing is a patient-centered method aimed at increasing intrinsic drive and reducing ambivalence about treatment-related change. MI is made up of four main components: (1) showing empathy, (2) increasing incoherence between undesirable behaviors and values that are inconsistent with those behaviors, (3) using internal opposition instead of direct confrontation, and (4) boosting self-efficacy. It is premised on seeking open-ended questions and responding carefully and introspectively to clients’ responses, as well as evoking “change talk” and discussing the benefits and drawbacks of change with patients. According to certain research, combining CBT with MI is more beneficial than CBT alone.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that combines cognitive and behavioral treatment interventions and has been shown to be effective in treating GAD. The goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is to teach people how to recognize irrational beliefs that generate anxiety and how to confront them using awareness strategies like testing hypotheses and journaling. CBT incorporates a variety of intervention approaches that enable individuals to investigate tension, anxiety, and repetitive negative thought patterns since it includes the practice of worry and anxiousness management. Anxiety management education, cognitive flexibility, relaxation techniques, contextual exposure, and self-controlled desensitization are examples of these therapies

Psychological therapy can also take the form of:

Relaxation methods (for example, meditational relaxation, relaxing imagery)
Metacognitive therapy (MCT): The goal of MCT is to change anxiety-related thinking processes such that worry is no longer employed as a coping mechanism. It has shown promise in the treatment of GAD and other mental illnesses.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
Supportive therapy is a Rogerian therapeutic approach in which clients receive compassion and appreciation from their therapist to help them become more conscious. Counseling, Transactional Analysis, and Gestalt therapy are examples of active supportive treatment.

Anxiety medications function by reacting with neurotransmitters, which are molecules found in the brain. One or more of these substances may be blocked from absorption or elevated by certain drugs.

The following are some of the drugs that are used to alleviate anxiety:

Tri-cyclic antidepressants
Anxiolytics
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), an “older” class of antidepressants, are also occasionally utilized.

Antidepressants have been shown to aid with GAD symptoms, but their effects can take several weeks to manifest. SSRIs, like fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft), are often recommended as a first-line treatment for Generalized Anxiety since they are generally safe drugs that are well tolerated by patients.

Anxiolytics, like benzodiazepines, do not address the underlying cause of anxiety, although they do help with symptoms. Nevertheless, there are also significant disadvantages to this kind of medication, such as the possibility of sedation and a habit-forming propensity. One medicine in this family, buspirone (Buspar), is licensed for the management of GAD and is not known to provoke dependency. There’s some data that buspirone can help antidepressants work better.

Tricyclic antidepressants are an old type of antidepressant that is less routinely used due to the risk of serious adverse effects.

Self-help relates to less formal methods to anxiety symptoms that provide little (or no) assistance. There are various self-help publications, for instance, that provide guidance in a step-by-step structure and closely resemble evidence-based GAD psychosocial interventions like CBT or ACT.

There are now digital self-help alternatives that deliver programs inspired by evidence-based GAD care, thanks to the introduction of smartphone technology and the expanding use of real-time applications. There are also apps with specific, do-it-yourself anxiety-relieving treatments, such as relaxation exercises and guided meditation activities, available.

The best method to find out what to do next is to talk with a clinician, such as a psychiatrist or a mental health specialist (s). One or a mix of the treatments discussed above may be beneficial depending on the kind and severity of the anxiety symptoms.

In principle, self-help tools can benefit those with mild or occasional anxiety. Self-help materials are also an excellent choice for those who do not have access to specialized care but want to seek evidence-based therapy. Self-help methods can be utilized in combination with existing treatment sometimes after a period of psychotherapy to avoid relapse and encourage steady improvement.

If your symptoms are chronic, affecting your daily functioning and/or crucial relations in your life, or are obviously visible to others, you should seek more formal therapy.

A term of psychotherapy may be recommended for moderate to severe anxiety. Medications are available to help with any level of chronic anxiety.

When deciding between medications and psychotherapy, keep in mind that therapy may take more time to provide symptom reduction than medication, but its benefits may persist longer (i.e., the skills and insight learned in therapy are retained after therapy ends). And for some people with GAD, getting the most out of their treatment—taking medicine and going to psychotherapy—gets them the best results.

Making the best selection for you is a continuous process of examination. If you choose a self-help option, keep in mind that chronic or increasing symptoms are signs that you should see a clinician for an in-person consultation.

When it comes to medicine or psychotherapy, select a therapist you can rely on and pose questions so you know exactly what kind of treatment you’ll be getting, as well as the dangers and advantages

When seeking any type of treatment, it’s critical to be diligent and to work with your doctor on a frequent basis to assess your problems (in case of drug treatment, adverse reactions).

Yoga

Yoga has been advised as an aspect of a GAD treatment regimen, sometimes as a component of meditation therapy and often on its own.

Kundalini yoga produced positive outcomes in a 2021 trial, but it was not as successful as CBT in treating GAD patients. As a result, yoga should be considered a complementary therapy rather than a first-line intervention.

Lifestyle

While anxiety disorders cannot always be avoided, there are certain things you may do to decrease (or not worsen) the manifestations:

Examine your prescriptions: Anxiety symptoms can be exacerbated by several drugs, including over-the-counter and natural remedies. Before beginning a new treatment, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Limit your alcohol intake, cigarettes, and coffee: Certain substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, beverages, and caffeinated drinks, such as chocolate, cola, tea, and coffee can exacerbate anxiety.
Build better lifestyle habits: Eating well-balanced meals, exercising regularly, keeping hydrated, and getting enough sleep can all help to alleviate anxiety symptoms.

Do you need to relax quickly? Use your senses to your advantage.

To help you relax, use your senses:

Sight: Looking at anything that helps you feel more at ease, or simply name what you can see surrounding you.
Sound: Relax by listening to music, singing, playing an instrument, or listening to natural sounds.
Smell: Have a walk outdoors and smell the roses or the clean air, or stay inside and light perfumes, prepare an aromatic snack or drinks or take a shower with your favorite fragrant bath products.
Taste: Chew on peppermint or chewy candy, eat a favorite food, enjoy a special drink, chew gum, or eat a favorite food.
Give or get a massage (or offer one to yourself), snuggle with a pet or plush animal, sit in the breeze or rain, or snuggle up under a blanket.
Exercise: Go for a stroll, jump jacks, exercise, dancing, or do anything else that keeps your body moving.

For someone with a co-occurring addiction (dual diagnosis), inpatient anxiety treatment is usually the best option. Patients have access to essential healthcare 24/7 in a comfortable and relaxing environment. The inpatient program allows patients to start addiction treatment while still receiving ongoing medical care and integrative therapy for their anxiety problems. If a person has a co-existing addiction, it is critical to overcome both the addiction and the anxiety. Addiction recurrence is less likely if both issues are addressed at the same time.

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Inpatient anxiety disorder treatment programs follow a multidisciplinary care plan that includes individual and group therapy on a regular basis. Some programs allow learners to participate in off-campus events or attend support sessions. Additionally, luxury inpatient anxiety treatment facilities offer a high level of comfort, services, and a picturesque atmosphere that aids in recovery and also being near-wilderness which is in itself therapeutic.

Treatment for anxiety is now only a call away, thanks to technological advancements. Luxury anxiety treatment can educate your dear one on how to properly respond to life’s obstacles, whether they have an anxiety disorder or their self-destructive behaviors and partying are getting more regular, protracted, or severe.

Private luxury treatment programs for celebrities, sportsmen, and high-profile persons are exclusive, secure, and protected, and are particularly effective because the atmosphere itself contributes to the healing process. Individuals will learn true coping methods that are not damaging to the mind or body, rather than replacing the comfort and support related to substance addiction for a difficult situation. If you have started to notice that their mood shifts around special days or occasions, but you are not certain what is pushing them to make poor decisions and connect with bad people, they may be dependent on addictive drugs to sustain life, which is dangerous to their emotional and physical health in the long term.

Every anxiety disorder treatment facility makes a coordinated effort to provide patients with the tools they need to control their anxiety. Premium residential anxiety treatment institutes, on the other hand, bring significant benefits over traditional treatment centers. Luxury mental health clinics provide a more comfortable and tranquil atmosphere because they are designed to seem like resorts.

When you’re in a peaceful environment, it’s much easier to deal with anxiety disorders. As they build coping skills for when they return home, individuals at luxury treatment centers enjoy being caressed in spas and burning energy in fitness centers and tennis courts. Individuals whose anxiety is triggered by hospital or doctor appointments may benefit from private anxiety treatment facilities that mimic five-star hotels.

It is virtually impossible to make a mistake when picking a quality anxiety disorder clinic, regardless of the facility you choose. Contact us right away if you or a close one is suffering from anxiety and requires the services of a peaceful and luxurious private anxiety treatment center.

HOW THE BALANCE CAN HELP WITH Anxiety

The Balance RehabClinic is a leading provider of luxury addiction and mental health treatment for affluent individuals and their families, offering a blend of innovative science and holistic methods with unparalleled individualised care.

A UNIQUE METHOD TREATING Anxiety

a successful and proven concept focusing on underlying causes

ONE CLIENT AT A TIME

TAILORED LASTING APPROACH

BIOCHEMICAL RESTORATION

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY & HOLISTIC

TECHNOLOGY BASED TREATMENT

TRAUMA INFORMED THERAPY

Anxiety TREATMENT LASTING APPROACH

0 Before

Send Admission Request

0 Before

Define Treatment Goals

1 week

Assessments & Detox

1-4 week

Psychological & Holistic Therapy

4 week

Family Therapy

5-8 week

Aftercare

12+ week

Refresher Visit

Anxiety Insights

Panic Attack vs. Anxiety Attack

Panic attacks vs. anxiety attacks are being used interchangeably in the light of certain similar symptoms, risk factors, and causes, including rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and shortness of breath.