The Best Treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
February 1, 2023

Do you or someone you know suffer from feelings of anxiety? If you’re experiencing anxiety that is excessive, ongoing, and affecting your everyday life, then it could be Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition where anxiety becomes chronic and interferes with daily activities.
GAD is different from normal worrying in that it can persist even when there is no clear cause for these feelings. It can be difficult to manage and can negatively impact one’s quality of life when left untreated.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of GAD, it is best to talk to a mental health professional for help.
Below is an overview of the best treatment options for generalized anxiety disorder.
The specific causes of GAD are unknown, but it can likely be traced to a combination of environmental and biological factors. Genetics and brain chemistry likely play a role, along with a person’s life experiences.
People who have experienced traumatic events in the past are more likely to develop symptoms of anxiety than those who have not.
A family history of anxiety disorders, chronic stress, or depression are also factors that can make you more likely to experience GAD.
Mental health care professionals offer a variety of GAD treatment options. Your anxiety symptoms could be relieved by psychotherapy, medication, or even a combination of the two.
Before a treatment plan is carried out, a mental health professional will talk you through the options and figure out what is best for you. Different treatments may work better for different people, so your plan should be made specifically for you and your needs.
Psychological treatments are some of the most effective GAD treatment options. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a good way to treat generalized anxiety disorder, is recommended by most doctors.
Cognitive therapies may help you to figure out where your negative thoughts are coming from and will also give you the tools to fight the feelings that make you anxious.
This technique also teaches different methods of behavior and thinking. With CBT, you’ll also learn new ways to cope with stressful situations.
A CBT technique called exposure therapy focuses on helping patients face their anxieties in order to help them engage in things they have been avoiding.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another type of psychological treatment approach for GAD.
This approach focuses on helping people accept their current situation while also committing to making changes in their lives that will lead them towards greater fulfillment.
Along with therapy, many healthcare professionals advocate treating GAD with medication. If therapy alone isn’t effective, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), SNRIs, or other medications.
Buspirone can also be used long-term to help control symptoms, while benzodiazepines are only good for short-term relief in certain situations.
Other medications that may be considered if SSRIs don’t work or aren’t possible include pregabalin, opipramol, hydroxyzine, imipramine, and quetiapine.
Unfortunately, there haven’t been many clinical studies that compare anxiety medications, and none of them have been found to be significantly better than the others.
Different drugs may have different effects on different people, so you may have to try several before you find one that works best for you and your symptoms.
If anxiety is affecting your quality of life, our healthcare professionals at NeuroSpa are here to help. As Tampa’s #1 mental health care services provider, we offer a wide range of GAD treatment options and will take the time to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Our staff uses a tried-and-true method to treat both the symptoms and the causes of generalized anxiety disorder. This will help you live a happier, more fulfilling life.
Learn more about our GAD treatment options and book a free consultation today.
This blog post is meant to be educational in nature and does not replace the advice of a medical professional. See full disclaimer.