How to Help People With General Anxiety Disorder

Living with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can be a challenge. Characterized by "persistent, excessive and unrealistic worry about everyday things," GAD affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1 percent of the U.S. population in any given year, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. With those sorts of statistics, chances are good that someone close to you may have the disorder.

Instructions

• 1

  Help the person identify his symptoms. GAD is characterized by persistent anxiety and worry, even at times when there is little or nothing to cause it. Physical symptoms may include some or all of the following: muscle tension, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, edginess, gastrointestinal discomfort or diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, sweating and hot flashes. Suggest to the person that GAD may be a cause of these symptoms.

• 2

  Advise them to talk to their family doctor or general practitioner about it. Offer to help them prepare for the visit by writing down some notes to take with them to the appointment. These may include a list of their symptoms, what may be causing stress in their life, any other health problems they may have, and a list of all medications they are currently taking.

• 3

  Encourage them to follow their doctor's suggestions. For instance, if the doctor has prescribed medication, such as antidepressants, buspirone or benzodiazepines (all commonly used to treat GAD), talk to your friend or loved one about the dosage and the possible side effects. If the doctor has suggested talk therapy, psychological counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy (one of the most common types of psychotherapy used to treat GAD), persuade them to follow through with the recommended treatment.

• 4

  Talk to them about other ways they might deal with their anxiety beyond medication and therapy. Daily exercise has been proven to be a powerful stress reducer. Perhaps you can offer to join them at the gym, or to go for a daily walk with them. Encourage them to eat a healthy diet and to avoid alcohol, and to make sleep a priority.

  Relaxation techniques, such as visualization techniques, meditation and yoga can help to ease anxiety. Educate yourself about various treatment options for GAD, and encourage your loved one to try different things to find what helps to alleviate their feelings of anxiety.

• 5

  Be a friend. This may seem obvious, but it may, above all, be the most helpful thing you can do for them. Be supportive. Listen to them. Offer reassurance and empathy. Be respectful of their boundaries, but be attentive and caring as well. Being there for them can make all the difference between a speedy recovery and a long-term struggle.