Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common mental health condition where you often feel very anxious about lots of different things.
The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people with Generalised anxiety disorder can make a full recovery. Please get in touch with us by clicking on the Self Refer button at the top of the website
How to tell if you have Generalised Anxiety Disorder
The main symptom of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is feelings of stress or worry that affect your daily life and are difficult to control.
Other symptoms of GAD may include:
- difficulty sleeping
- feeling restless, irritable or finding it difficult to concentrate
- getting tired easily
- feeling tense
- stomach problems
- a more noticeable or unusual heartbeat (palpitations)
- feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- low mood or depression
There are also other types of anxiety disorder and it's common to have more than one at the same time. For example:
- sudden attacks of anxiety and panic (panic disorder)
- an overwhelming fear of something specific (phobias)
What causes Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) does not usually have an obvious cause, but there are some things that can increase your chances of having GAD.
These include having:
- another anxiety disorder, such as panic disorder or social phobia
- close relatives with anxiety disorders, depression or other mental health conditions
- a history of stressful or traumatic experiences, such as domestic violence, child abuse or bullying
- a painful long-term health condition, such as arthritis
- a history of drug or alcohol misuse
GAD is also more common in women than men.
Treating Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Treatment for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) can help you to manage your symptoms, but it may take time.
The main treatments a GP may offer include:
- talking therapies – usually cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with the support of a therapist, either by yourself or in a group
- medicines that can help to treat anxiety – usually a type of antidepressant called an SSRI
- referral to a community mental health team with a range of specialists who can help to create a treatment plan for you
Please get in touch with us by clicking on the Self Refer button at the top of the website to discuss your options