How to Treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A person who suffers from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) worries excessively about everyday life, including family, health, work, personal appearance and household duties. Physical symptoms can include irritability, headaches, sweating, palpitations, inability to concentrate and nausea along with excessive anxiety. You'll need the help of a mental health professional to effectively treat GAD, but there are also some things you can do on your own.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Limit or eliminate use of substances that trigger anxious feelings, like caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, cold medicines and other drugs.

2. Meditate or learn other relaxation techniques, like deep breathing and visualization.

3. Get a medical exam to rule out underlying diseases that cause anxiety or mimic anxiety symptoms, like thyroid disease, vitamin deficiencies, asthma and heart disease.

4. Ask your doctor or therapist about medications. Antidepressants and drugs that regulate serotonin or reduce anxiety can ease the symptoms of GAD. If one drug doesn't work for you, ask your doctor if you can discontinue use.

5. See a professional therapist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy to treat anxiety.

6. Make a plan to deal with things that cause you stress. If you always worry about household chores or finances, set up a schedule or a budget and stick to it. If you worry about health issues, get a complete medical exam to put your mind at ease. Have a plan and schedule for each day so that you don't have too much or too little to do.

7. Exercise, eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep. Treating your body well can help ease the symptoms of anxiety.

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on 11/29/2008 Great tips! You give great and varied ideas. Thanks!