Anxiety Therapy in Midtown Toronto

Most individuals experience anxiety from time to time or in response to very stressful moments in their lives.  However, when anxiety occurs in response to normal daily activities or becomes constant, overwhelming, difficult to control and starts to interfere with daily life, it might mean you are experiencing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).  If you’re looking for help to manage generalized anxiety disorder, this overview might help.

An Overview of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, including work, health, family, or money. The fear and anxiety are often disproportionate to the situation, and although sufferers are often aware of this, they find it hard to control their feelings.

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The symptoms of GAD are not just psychological; they can manifest physically as well. These might include:

• feeling restless
• fatigued
• irritable
• muscle tension
• difficulty sleeping
• feeling on edge
• increased startle response

 If these symptoms persist for more than six months, it could be an indication of GAD.

Prevalence of GAD

The Canadian Mental Health Association stated that GAD affects 3% of the adult population at any given time, demonstrating that it’s a common challenge many individuals grapple with.

Generalized Anxiety Therapy

Therapy can offer a lifeline for those struggling with GAD. The goal of generalized anxiety therapy is not to eliminate anxiety entirely—because a certain level of anxiety is normal—but to bring it down to manageable levels.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most effective types of generalized anxiety therapy. It aims to help individuals identify, understand, and change thought and behaviour patterns that lead to harmful feelings or actions. The idea is that your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected and by changing negative thought patterns, you can change how you react to anxiety-inducing situations.

Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Mindfulness-based therapies, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), have been shown to be beneficial in treating GAD. These therapies focus on being fully present in the moment, accepting it without judgement.

The Role of Medication

Medication is often used in conjunction with therapy to treat GAD. It can provide relief from acute symptoms and can be an essential part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Most commonly, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are prescribed to treat GAD. These medications are designed to balance chemicals in your brain that affect mood and emotions.

Benzodiazepines are often used for short-term relief of acute symptoms of GAD. They help to reduce physical symptoms, such as muscle tension. However, they’re not typically used for long-term management as they have the potential for dependency and withdrawal.