Counseling is part of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) care plan. Therapy will help you learn ways to reduce anxiety and stress in your daily life. There are different types of therapy. Work with your care team to find which may work best for you.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) works to change patterns of thinking. You will work to realize what is causing anxiety and learn how to change your reaction to it. The goal is to decrease the symptoms of anxiety. Therapy may include:
This is a type of talk therapy. You are encouraged to talk about anything that comes to mind in sessions. The goal is to better understand negative feelings. It may also uncover buried emotions. It may show how these emotions affect daily life. The goal is to help ease symptoms and improve daily life.
Meditation can help to slow racing thoughts and calm mind and body. Regular practice may ease tension. It may also be used during events that cause anxiety to ease reaction.
This is another set of tools that can help to ease tension and slow racing thoughts. Steps may include deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and visualization. They can help to gain control over anxiety. It takes some practice to use the tools. They can then be available whenever anxiety strikes.
The therapist will encourage you to stop avoiding or denying intense emotions. The next step is to accept these emotions as appropriate. It can ease problems these emotions cause in day to day life. This therapy is a way to accept issues and challenges and commit to changes.
Regular physical activity may help to reduce anxiety. Examples include brisk walking, swimming, yoga, and strength training. Choose activities that are easily available to prevent adding stress.
Caffeine, street drugs like cocaine, or some herbs can make symptoms worse.
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Generalized anxiety disorder. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/generalized-anxiety-disorder/. Accessed May 8, 2020.
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Last reviewed May 2020 by Adrian Preda, MD