Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Anxiety can make the simplest tasks seem difficult, even when there’s no real problem to worry about. In many cases, the anxiety is so intense that it hurts your career and social relationships. Don’t let overwhelming anxiety hold you back. At the CCT, our approach to Generalized Anxiety Disorder focuses on cognitive therapy, to give you the means to manage your worries and get your life back together.

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a condition that goes beyond everyday worries. It involves exaggerated worry and tension, even when there isn’t a logical reason for concern. Individuals with GAD are aware that their worries are excessive, but cannot believe that they are safe. If you have GAD, you might find that these worries consume your thoughts most days, making it hard to focus on anything else, which can lead to significant stress.

Understanding GAD

Being stuck in an endless loop of worry can feel as though your mind is always running through “what ifs,” making you feel tense, restless, and even irritable at times. You may recognize that your fears do not make sense, but it doesn’t always make it easier to stop worrying.

Physical symptoms associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Muscle tension
• Difficulty swallowing
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Feeling out of breath
• Insomnia

GAD Causes and Risk Factors

A mix of personal and environmental factors can cause GAD. Some key risk factors include:

• Personality traits – Being too cautious, avoiding risks, or having a negative outlook can raise anxiety levels.
• Childhood experiences – Growing up with strict or overprotective parents, or facing tough situations early in life.
• Family history – If anxiety or mood disorders run in your family, you might be more likely to develop GAD

Generalized  Anxiety Disorder Treatment at the CCT

GAD is one of the most frequently diagnosed anxiety disorders among psychologists, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a proven approach to managing its symptoms. CBT helps you challenge and change your anxious thoughts, while also teaching you how to manage behaviors that fuel worry.

Many patients receive medication for anxiety. However, at the CCT, we focus on cognitive therapy as our primary approach. We’ll work with you to understand what causes your anxiety and teach you healthier ways to cope. This often helps reduce or even remove the need for medication over time.

Source: American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787