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Your Mercy doctor or behavioral health professional may do the following to diagnose GAD:
GAD can be treated with medication, therapy and alternative therapies – or a combination of these.
A therapist works with you in counseling sessions to discuss ways to manage your anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches you skills to manage anxiety and is especially effective for GAD. CBT can be done individually or in a group of people with similar issues.
Anxiety can be treated with or without medication. Your Mercy doctor or behavioral health professional will discuss your options, including the benefits and risks. Medications often used to treat GAD include:
Some people with GAD also benefit from healing therapies used alongside traditional medical care, known as complementary or integrative therapies. Mercy's integrative medicine department focuses on your emotional and spiritual well-being through a variety of therapies. Meditation is especially effective for GAD by helping you clear your mind, calm yourself and feel more at peace.
GAD in children and adolescents is treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication or a combination of both. Antidepressants that increase serotonin levels are commonly used to treat GAD in children. If you’re concerned about your child’s anxiety, ask your pediatrician for a referral to a Mercy behavioral health professional. Working with a care team, you can help your child enjoy a healthier and more active life.
Anxiety doesn’t just affect your state of mind – you’ll notice physical symptoms. The body responds to anxiety by releasing cortisol and other stress hormones. These hormones can cause nervousness, dizziness, sweating, heart palpitations, trouble concentrating, rashes and more. Beyond these physical changes, living with anxiety can be lonely and isolating.
While not a substitute for medical care, other ways to help you cope include relaxation techniques, changing negative thoughts and making positive changes to reduce stress. It’s also important to be socially engaged and take time for healthy self-care. Since drugs and alcohol can contribute to or worsen anxiety, avoiding them will help you enjoy a better quality of life.
Don’t dismiss the harmful effects of constant worry. Discuss your symptoms with a Mercy behavioral health provider who will develop a treatment plan to help you along the path to healing.
Find a behavioral health specialist near you.