Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental disorder in which its patient fears for causes which are not evident to others. This disorder doesn’t let the patient perform well and disturbs sleep as well, which leads to insomnia, lack of concentration etc.

Medications and psychotherapy are the two effective treatments for generalized anxiety disorder. If medication or psychotherapy alone doesn’t seem to be effective, a patient can be given both the treatments simultaneously.

Usually, antidepressants are prescribed to generalized anxiety disorder patients. Some of the antidepressants prescribed to GAD patients are sertaline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), buspirone (BuSpar), imipramine (Tofranil) etc. These antidepressants stimulate the neurotransmitters, which cures GAD. Such medicines do not respond immediately but they become completely effective after some weeks.

For temporary relief, doctors may give their GAD patients benzodiazepines. Clonazepam (Klonopin), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium) are some examples of benzodiazepines to be mentioned.

But these medicines are given only in special cases, where the doctor wants to give relief to the patient from acute anxiety on short term basis. Doctors usually don’t give benzodiazepines in general cases of GAD because it causes many side effects such as drowsiness, memory problems, balance problem etc.

In psychotherapy treatment, counseling is done by experts and it has been observed that this kind of treatment works very effectively for treating anxiety.

For the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, cognitive behavioral therapy is commonly applied. In this therapy, the patient is taught how to recognize negative thoughts and how to overcome them.

You are taught how to reduce or avoid tension and stress and live a happy life. Therapist teaches GAD patients to change their attitude towards life.

GAD patients can also overcome GAD by changing their life style. To overcome GAD they will have to reduce stress and to reduce stress they need to do exercise. Exercise is stress reducer and improves blood circulation due to which the brain receives sufficient amount of blood and oxygen and eventually mood is lifted.

Yoga and some relaxation techniques too, are good for the brain and overall health and reduce anxiety. Breathing in and out in proper manner is very beneficial in curing anxiety.