Low Level Anxiety Disorder

While there is no actual disorder known as "low-level anxiety disorder" low-level anxiety is a symptom of the condition known as generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. Generalized anxiety disorder afflicts over six million Americans, as reported by the Anxiety Disorder Association of America, and is twice as likely to be experienced by women.

Symptoms

• Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by an ever-present sense of worry, chronic low-level of anxiety (even when nothing is "wrong"), muscle tension, sleep difficulties, nervousness, irritability and restlessness. To be diagnosed with the condition, an individual must have experienced a combination of these symptoms over the course of six months, according to MoodClinic.ca.

Low Level Anxiety

• Mark Dombeck, Ph.D. suggests that low level anxiety results in an inability to plan effectively, extreme levels of stress and trouble relaxing.

Psychotherapy

• Dombeck also suggests that psychotherapy be used to treat low level anxiety. As reported on the website CounsellingResource.com, psychotherapy (also called psychodynamic psychotherapy) is "based on the premise that human behavior is determined by one's past experiences, genetic factors and current situation." In psychotherapy sessions, patients are encouraged to examine how their emotions relate to their constant feelings of anxiety and worry, with the ultimate goal of providing emotional control.

Medication

• MoodClinic.ca suggests low level anxiety can be treated by anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications. Natural supplements, vitamins and herbs can also be used. If you are considering the usage of alternative medicines to treat low level anxiety, first consult with your physician or treatment specialist.

Behavioral Therapy

• Behavioral therapy can also be useful in treating low level anxiety, as the therapy focuses on effectively changing negative behaviors that contribute to or reinforce low level anxiety.