Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common term these days. It is a mental health condition that currently affects millions of people across the world. People suffering from GAD worry excessively about several, if not all, aspects of life like work, relationships, and health. Effective and adequate Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment is needed at the right time for the people suffering to help them control and manage their symptoms and lead better lives. At Jagruti Rehab, we have experts providing the best treatment for generalized anxiety disorder using various approaches appropriately tailored for the person suffering from GAD.

Causes and Risk Factors of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

While the exact cause of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is not known, researchers have been able to link several factors contributing to its development. Similar to several other mental conditions, the condition can be caused by:

• Family History - Genes often have a role to play in GAD. Mental conditions like Generalized Anxiety Disorder are common amongst people with a family history of mental health conditions in different generations.
• Hormonal Imbalance - Serotonin and dopamine are the happy hormones that affect mood. Hormonal imbalance thus can affect mood regulation negatively, which can contribute to anxiety.
• Trauma & Stress - Significant life events and trauma, such as miscarriage, death, breakups, major illness, job loss, etc., can trigger GAD and even worsen it. People facing stressful situations for a long time also tend to increase their risk of developing GAD.
• Personality Traits - Sometimes, some people have the tendency to worry over small things, overthink, or chase perfectionism. People with the habit of not feeling satisfied or happy have a higher risk of developing GAD.
• Co-occurring Conditions - GAD can be caused due to other mental conditions as well. Anyone suffering from Depression, Substance Abuse, or other anxiety disorders runs the risk of developing GAD as well.

Our Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment centre tends to find the root causes behind the condition in every patient to create a targeted GAD disorder treatment plan for each person.

Diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

One of the most important steps of Generalized Anxiety Disorder treatment is the correct diagnosis of the mental condition, which can only be done by a professional. At Jagruti Rehab, we have superior healthcare professionals who identify symptoms and causes through various approaches, assessing their impact on life and then suggesting treatment accordingly. Here is how they do it:

Comprehensive Evaluation A detailed evaluation is the first step of the diagnostic process. It includes several questions on medical history, lifestyle, family background, and mental health. The evaluation helps the professional understand the condition of the person's (suffering from anxiety) overall health and well-being and identify potential causes behind the condition.

Diagnostic Criteria Based on DSM-5, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder is diagnosed when a person is showing at least three of the following symptoms for a long period (6 months):

• Worrying excessively
• Fatigue
• Restlessness
• Difficulty in concentration
• Sleep issues
• Muscle tension
• Irritable

It is only after a thorough evaluation and confirmation that the professionals tailor a GAD treatment plan for the patient suffering from the condition.

What Is The Treatment For Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder treatment is a structured process that involves targeting both psychological and physical symptoms. It follows the below-mentioned steps:

1. Initial Assessment The first step is the evaluation by a mental health professional. The evaluation is done on a detailed test where the patient's symptoms, medical history, family history of mental conditions, significant life events, etc., are recorded for the correct diagnosis and GAD treatment plan.

2. Inpatient and Outpatient Care Options After the diagnosis, the professionals decide whether the patient's current condition makes them suitable for inpatient or outpatient care options. What are inpatient and outpatient care?
Inpatient Care: Patients showing extreme symptoms and finding it very difficult to live daily lives are suggested to get treated at the rehab. This gives them 24/7 support from the team, structured therapy, and a calm environment, which aids with faster recovery in the absence of external stress. Outpatient Care: Patients who are less serious and can handle their daily lives are suggested outpatient care. They receive treatment in the form of medication and scheduled therapy sessions that do not interfere with their daily life schedule.

3. Therapeutic Interventions One of the most important parts of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment is therapy, which includes: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): It is a trusted and effective therapy method used to identify triggers causing anxiety and their effects. The process, after identifying the causes, attempts to transform the negative thought patterns into positive ones. Exposure Therapy: After completing CBT, exposure therapy helps patients deal with anxiety-inducing situations by slowly exposing them to similar situations. It helps them to avoid difficult situations in the future or get a revival of GAD.

4. Medication Management In some cases, professionals may seem fit to prescribe antidepressant or anti-anxiety drugs to handle extreme symptoms. However, it is done with care, and the professionals monitor the effects and adjust the dose as needed.

5. Aftercare and Support Mental health, just like physical health, requires continued efforts for well-being and management. Thus, aftercare is an important part of the GAD treatment. Depending on the patients, their circumstances, and improvement, ongoing therapies, active involvement in support groups, and practical lifestyle changes may be suggested to prevent relapse and promote long-term well-being.
The structural treatment at Jagruti Rehab for Generalized Anxiety Disorder treatment is designed to provide comprehensive care and support to people in their mental health improvement journey.

Best Treatment For Generalized Anxiety Disorder

An effective Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment at Jagruti Rehab is not one thing. It is a tailored program that includes a combination of several approaches depending on the needs of the patient. Here are the treatment options for generalized anxiety disorder:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - CBT is the main element of our GAD treatment. It forms the basis of the treatment as it helps to identify the triggers and the negative thought patterns and behaviors that are leading to anxiety. Identifying the cause and triggers becomes the first step in transforming negative thoughts and fears to reduce the symptoms.

2. Medication Management - Antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs) and Anti-anxiety medications are used to balance neurotransmitters and get relief from symptoms. However, several medications run the risk of dependency, which is why it is only given when professionals see it fit and needed. Also, the patients are monitored for side effects and withdrawal symptoms during the course of the medication.

3. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques - Mindfulness through meditation, deep breathing exercises, and muscle relaxation stretches are also induced in the treatment to aid with mind relaxation and focus.

4. Exposure Therapy - Exposure therapy is introduced in the later part of the treatment, where the patient is taught to control reactions in an anxiety-induced situation slowly. It is aimed at helping patients manage and control their emotions and behaviors at the triggers, decreasing their fear and slowly increasing their confidence.

5. Lifestyle Adjustments - Proper anxiety management also includes adopting healthy lifestyle habits. It includes regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, a good sleep cycle, and reducing and avoiding caffeine and substance abuse.

6. Support Systems - Another part of any mental health condition treatment plan is to involve patients in support group activities. It helps them know and meet people suffering the same thing as them, feel understood, and remain motivated.

Rehabilitation Programs For Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment

The rehabilitation program for GAD treatment is designed to offer tailored and structured care to individuals to help them manage their anxiety and control their emotions and behavior for a better life. It helps people achieve long-term recovery from very serious conditions. At Jagruti Rehab, we offer residential treatment, intensive therapy, and outpatient care tailored to individual requirements.

Short-Term and Long-Term Programs The short-term program generally lasts between 30 and 90 days and focuses on managing symptoms using therapy and practical strategies. Alternatively, the long-term program can be anywhere between 6 months to a year and more if needed. The long-term program may include residential treatment, deeper therapy sessions, relapse prevention, 24/7 support, medication, and more, depending on the individual's needs.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment Centre - Residential Program The residential program offers 24/7 care for serious patients and provides structural care. It gives a holistic experience with yoga, meditation, and art therapy in the absence of external stress for a faster recovery.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) IOPs are for people who can continue with their daily life along with GAD treatment. It allows them flexibility. The treatment works on building skills to manage anxiety, along with scheduled therapy to control emotions. Along with the treatment, the patients are also introduced to support groups.

Aftercare and Supportive Housing GAD treatment, similar to any other mental health condition, requires aftercare and continuous support from friends and family to avoid relapse. Support groups play an important role in such cases.

Latest Trends in Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment

GAD treatment has evolved over the last few years. With new approaches and technological advancement mental health treatment is not only accessible but also advanced; here's how:

• Tailored Treatment Plans: GAD treatment is not a template that is applied to everyone. The treatment starts with the correct diagnosis and understanding of their stage and requirements by professionals. It is only after that the professionals create a GAD treatment plan that suits the individual, targeting his/her needs and goals.
• Telehealth and Remote Therapy: With the rise of internet usage, therapy sessions are possible online. It gives several people who are stigmatized by mental health treatments or who do not have access to rehab centers the option and the ease to get help and flexible GAD treatment.
• Technology in GAD Treatment: Several mobile apps and tools are helping with GAD treatment today. They are being used to track new habits and keep taking a well-being journey with habit tracking, guided meditation, recorded sessions, management and recording symptoms, and more.

Success Rates and Effectiveness of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment

A tailored GAD treatment plan designed by professionals often includes several approaches. The individuals under treatment are also very closely monitored to ensure that the success rate is very, very high, and the plan can be changed if and when needed, depending on the individual's responses.

• CBT - According to studies, 50% of people getting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in their GAD treatment plan show substantial improvement in their symptoms.
• Positive Outcomes with Medications - Medications such as SNRIs and SSRIs are often used to improve symptoms in GAD treatment and show high success rates.

How Do We Measure GAD Treatment Success?

We score the GAD treatment success on several factors, such as:

• Reduction in symptom frequency
• Improved control over emotions
• Better life quality
• Patient feedback
• Professional assessment