What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Are you someone who worries about a lot of things? Do you spend a lot of time trying to figure out the future? Do you try to plan and control many things in your life to avoid the discomfort of uncertainty? Do you worry excessively about everyday issues like finances, children, work, relationships, etc.?
Worrying is a natural human thought process that is very useful when it comes to solvable problems. However, when we worry about things out of our control or things that may or may not happen in the future, we are wasting precious mental energy and creating anxiety for ourselves. Excessive worrying, also known as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is often accompanied by depression, OCD, social anxiety, and phobias. If you worry too much, chances are you are also losing out on being spontaneous at times and being able to enjoy the moment. The good news is, we can help. New York Behavioral Health professionals use evidence-based practices. Since we use scientifically supported treatments for excessive worrying, there is good reason to believe your problems can begin to improve very soon.
How Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Can Help with Generalized Anxiety Disorder
CBT has been scientifically proven to be effective in the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Warm, caring, professionals can offer CBT therapy in a comfortable setting at New York Behavioral Health, which is conveniently located on Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street. Our compassionate staff have been extensively trained in scientifically supported techniques to efficiently reduce your suffering. We know it is not easy to get started, but we are here to help you get on the path to a better life. For information about CBT therapy, please email or call New York Behavioral Health, and a staff member will be there to answer your questions. Your privacy and comfort are a priority, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your problems and their treatment.
If you are interested in more technical details about Genarlized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), please continue to read below, but at any point feel free to call us if we can be of help.
GAD Definition
Worry is an ineffective cognitive act of thinking about a particular concern without any utility. Thinking about something, which may remind us to do something is helpful. Likewise, if a problem is solvable by applying our minds, e.g., solving an arithmetic problem- this kind of mental activity is adaptive and therefore not worry. Worrying usually involves thinking of situations, or potential situations, which one cannot do anything to resolve at the moment and yet cannot stop thinking about it.
Worrying can be a normal part of functioning, but when extreme can become dysfunctional.
GAD Diagnosis
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder where the primary symptom is excessive worry. Four percent of Americans suffer from GAD, it is more common in women than in men, and typical onset is in late adolescence or early adulthood. Frequently it is diagnosed with comorbid disorders such as social anxiety, specific phobia, or depression.
GAD Treatment
Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in addressing GAD and its comorbidities. Many individuals will experience a significant decrease in the anxiety in as few as 16 weeks, and the frequency of worries may decrease that fast as well.
