Anxiety isn’t always debilitating. Though it’s common for most people to feel anxious from time to time, those with an anxiety disorder feel it often, commonly at the wrong time, and intensely. People don’t “get” that you cannot stop worrying or that your body is experiencing physical changes because of the thoughts in your mind. You feel off, often. You could be experiencing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
About 2.7 percent of all US adults suffered from GAD in the last year, according to data from the National Institute of Mental Health. About 5.7 percent of adults will experience GAD at some point in their lives.
At Willow Creek Behavioral Health, we provide comprehensive treatment for GAD, allowing you to regain control over your thoughts and anxious and empowering you to live the life you desire.
When Does Generalized Anxiety Disorder Develop?
Generalized anxiety disorder is a persistent feeling of being anxious or dreading something that interferes with the way you live your life. It is not an occasional worry about stressful periods in life. It’s anxiety that lasts for months and even years, and may not seem “logical” to anyone else.
GAD often develops slowly, building from early adulthood, though it can occur in people of any age. The actual cause of GAD isn’t fully understood, though researchers believe that a variety of factors contribute to it, including:
- Brain chemistry
- Genetics
- Your biology
- The environment you live in
- Experiencing a traumatic event
Is It Normal Anxiety or GAD?
One of the biggest questions people have is this: “Do I have anxiety that’s normal, or is it a disorder?” All people feel stress throughout their lives, especially when encountering tough times at work or in relationships. Stress is not the same as anxiety disorders, though. Stressful situations last for a short period of time. When your body’s anxiety does not alleviate when there’s no current stressor, that’s an indication of GAD.
Remember, anxiety is normal when life is stressful. When it happens often, even when you’re not really thinking about something that causes stress, and it interferes with your ability to engage in life, that’s more likely to be GAD.
What Are the Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
People with generalized anxiety disorder often have a range of symptoms such as:
- Excessive worry about everyday tasks or experiences
- Trouble controlling feelings of nervousness or worries
- Feeling restless and unable to relax
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, always feeling tired
- Sweating a lot, feeling lightheaded, and feeling out of breath
- Having trouble swallowing
- Feeling like you are living on the edge all of the time
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Needing to use the bathroom frequently
GAD can create highly nervous feelings even about everyday tasks like your job security, health, and finances. You may be overly worried about your health or that of your family, or consumed by worries about your responsibilities, even when others may not see why you are so stressed or overwhelmed.
How Can I Get Help for Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Treatment for GAD is dependent on numerous factors. At Willow Creek, we offer individualized treatment strategies designed to fit your specific situation. To do that, we talk to you, we learn about your struggles, feelings, and fears. We also look at your medical history, hormone health, and physical health.
Treatment is always specific to your needs. For some people, this begins with talk therapy to find out what stressors caused them to develop GAD. For others, it may be necessary to consider medications that help correct hormone levels or treat the underlying mental health conditions you are battling.
Treatment options may include:
- Psychotherapy: Also known as talk therapy, this involves one-on-one work with your therapist to reduce symptoms and understand what is happening, often in our day treatment or residential programs
- Medications: Medications like antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and others can provide help with the intensity you feel
From here, we often work to develop an ongoing treatment plan that offers strategies for dealing with stress and resources to contact when you’re overwhelmed. You may have GAD, but you do not have to let it control your future. Treatment can be very effective and may provide you with exceptional improvement.
Anxiety disorders require treatment. It is sometimes thought of as being a condition that’s not serious or one that’s simply something you have to “deal with” but that’s far from the case. There are negative consequences that could impact every facet of your life if you do not seek treatment.
Set Up Some Time to Talk to Us Now
You do not have to wait to contact Willow Creek Behavioral Health. We are here for you right now at any time for acute situations. Let’s talk about what you are feeling and why it may be happening. Set up a no-cost, confidential assessment with us right now.
