Mental Health Anxiety Disorder Guide Anxiety Disorder Guide Overview Diagnosis Treatment How an Anxiety Disorder Is Treated By Lana Bandoim facebook twitter linkedin Lana Bandoim is a science writer and editor with more than a decade of experience covering complex health topics. Learn about our editorial process Lana Bandoim Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on March 09, 2021 Steven Gans, MD, is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on March 10, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Prescription Medications Therapies Alternative Treatments Lifestyle A Word From Verywell Next in Anxiety Disorder Guide What Is an Anxiety Disorder? Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition that causes excessive worry accompanied by other symptoms. It is one of the anxiety disorders. Your doctor can help you find the right treatment options that can help you manage this condition. Although you may start the process by seeing a primary care physician, your doctor may refer you to a psychologist, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or other mental health professional for treatment. They all specialize in treating anxiety disorders. bymuratdeniz / Getty Images Prescription Medications Prescription medications cannot cure GAD, but they can help manage the symptoms. Before taking any medication, you should discuss the possible side effects and make sure you mention all the other prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs you are taking to avoid possible interactions. Common prescription medications for GAD are antidepressants and antianxiety medications such as benzodiazepines. Antidepressants include: Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs) Tricyclic antidepressants Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include: Fluoxetine (Prozac) Paroxetine (Paxil) Sertraline (Zoloft) Escitalopram (Lexapro) Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) include: Duloxetine (Cymbalta) Venlafaxine hydrochloride (Effexor XR) Therapies Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, is a common treatment for GAD. In talk therapy, you talk to a therapist about your condition and work on understanding, reducing, and managing your symptoms. Combination Treatment Your doctor may combine prescription medications with psychotherapy. Your doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you manage GAD. CBT teaches you to change thinking patterns and behaviors. It is a short-term treatment that focuses on helping you change how you react to situations that cause anxiety. You identify and modify thoughts that cause anxiety. Another component of this approach is exposure, which allows you to confront your fears and overcome them. When you have cognitive behavior therapy, your doctor may also recommend relaxation and other mind-body exercises to help you. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is one type of treatment that increases relaxation through meditation. MBSR allows you to focus on the present and become aware of the current moment. Alternative Treatments When you search for GAD treatments, you may find many alternative options. It is important to discuss them with your doctor before trying them to avoid possible interactions and side effects. Warning About Vitamin Interactions Some vitamins, minerals, and herbs can interfere with medications. They can be especially dangerous if you are already taking prescription drugs for GAD. Alternative herbs and supplements include: Kava extract St. John's wort Lavender oil Tryptophan 5-hydroxytryptophan S-Adenosyl-L-methionine Other alternative treatments include: Aromatherapy Acupuncture Meditation Music therapy Massage Visualizations Yoga Lifestyle There are lifestyle changes you can make to help you cope with GAD. Talk to your doctor before making any drastic changes in your lifestyle and don't forget to reach out to others for support. Sleep It is important to get enough sleep every night to help your overall health and GAD. If you are experiencing sleep problems, talk to your doctor. Diet Your diet affects how you feel, so eating healthy is important. Consider eliminating caffeine and alcohol because they may make GAD symptoms worse. Exercise Exercise helps lower stress and may help you manage the symptoms of anxiety. Try to stay active every day and think about joining a gym or fitness group. Avoid Smoking Research shows that stopping the use of nicotine products and avoiding smoking may reduce anxiety. Ask your doctor for help if you are having trouble avoiding nicotine and are dealing with an addiction. Support Groups Ask your doctor about local support groups for GAD. It can be helpful to discuss what you are going through with others and share ideas. A support group offers understanding, empathy, and connections. A Word From Verywell You may feel scared or embarrassed about seeking treatment for an anxiety disorder. These feelings are normal, and many people experience them. However, you do not want them to stop you from getting the help you need. To get the right treatment, it is important to be honest and open about your symptoms. If you feel that a doctor is not providing you with the highest level of care or is not listening to you, then consider seeing a different doctor. Your primary care physician may be able to refer you to someone else who specializes in treating GAD. Your doctor may recommend a combination of prescription, therapy, and lifestyle treatments. Talk to a healthcare professional before trying alternative options, such as herbs or supplements, which may interact with your medications. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety disorders. Updated July 2018. Locke AB, Kirst N, Shultz CG. Diagnosis and management of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults. Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(9):617-624. Niazi AK, Niazi SK. Mindfulness-based stress reduction: a non-pharmacological approach for chronic illnesses. N Am J Med Sci. 2011;3(1):20-23.