What’s Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) And Ways To Treat

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common mental disorders in America. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that over six million adults are affected by this disease yearly. It is also the most common anxiety disorder to be found in children and adolescents as well.

The term “anxiety” seems like such a simple word but it actually represents an array of different conditions that can develop into one main issue or remain as separate issues (for example post-traumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia, and panic attacks ).

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition that causes sufferers to become overly concerned about everyday events and activities. People with GAD live in a constant state of heightened arousal, which means they are always on edge and waiting for something bad to happen. They anticipate disaster at every turn. It is usually accompanied by physical symptoms of anxiety, such as an upset stomach, lightheadedness, muscle tension, fatigue, trembling, and irritability.

People with GAD are unable to control these feelings of fear and doubt even though they may realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants.

3 Ways To Treat GAD

CBD

Fortunately, cannabis for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an option. As with other forms of treatment, CBD should be used as part of a wider plan that includes therapy and lifestyle changes. There are several ways to use cannabis to treat GAD.

One method is to vaporize CBD oil. When inhaled, the effects are almost immediate and it works very well for both acute anxiety attacks as well as chronic stress.

Another way to use CBD is topical. This method has been shown to be especially helpful with skin conditions but because the skin readily absorbs CBD, this method can also be used to treat GAD symptoms.

A third option is CBD hemp oil tinctures, which are ingested orally. Taking the oil under your tongue allows for rapid absorption into the bloodstream and it bypasses the first-pass metabolism in the liver.

Eventually, you and your doctor will need to decide upon the most suitable CBD product as well as the best form for treatment

Psychotherapy

Therapy can be individual or group-based and it works best when the person suffering from GAD is motivated to seek treatment. Psychotherapy involves learning coping strategies and stress management in order to help control anxiety. These methods include:

  • Cognitive therapy (CT) in which you work with a therapist to monitor distorted thinking and learn how to replace it with positive self-talk.
  • Interpersonal therapy (IPT) in which you learn to communicate more effectively with others and identify ways that significant relationships can be improved. This treatment is useful for people who may suffer from GAD as a result of relationship or family problems.

Medication

Medication should only be used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Medication for GAD includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which work by increasing the amount of serotonin available to brain cells, resulting in a decrease in anxiety. Other medications that may also be prescribed are anticonvulsants and benzodiazepines.

Conclusion

GAD is a serious medical condition that can significantly interfere with one’s ability to function on a daily basis. Because people suffering from this disease are in constant fear of the next attack, the quality of their lives is greatly diminished. So while GAD cannot be cured, it can be treated.

GAD sufferers should learn what the symptoms are and how to cope with them. They should then seek treatment from their doctors or mental health professionals in order to manage their anxiety and get back to living full and healthy lives.