Recovery From Gad

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition where anxiety becomes too difficult to manage. While everyone feels anxious sometimes, people who suffer from GAD have chronic problems with constant worry, muscle aches, exhaustion, restlessness and trouble sleeping and eating. Recovery from GAD is difficult but with the proper medication, therapy and lifestyle changes, it is possible.

Medication

• Your doctor may prescribe one or more medications for GAD based on the extent and severity of your symptoms. Antidepressants such as Prozac, Lexapro or Zoloft are commonly prescribed for GAD. Also prescribed is the anti-anxiety medication Buspirone. All of these drugs can take several weeks to work and your doctor may need to experiment with dosage and type to find the right balance for you.

  For those who need a quick fix, benzodiazepines like Valium and Klonopin are available. These sedatives can help relieve acute anxiety, but they are habit-forming and do not help with any long term problems.

Therapy

• Psychotherapy is also an effective way to recover from GAD. With your therapist you can talk about what stresses you out and not only discover the root of the issues but also develop behavior changes and coping strategies. Most people with GAD go for cognitive-behavioral therapy where you are taught to replace negative patterns with positive thoughts and behaviors. For many people, the outlet of someone to talk to about their problems is a helpful step toward recovery.

Lifestyle changes

• One of the most important aspects of GAD recovery is breaking free from the negative behaviors and thoughts that complicate your life. Exercising is a useful way to cut down anxiety. Learning how to relax, getting the proper amount of sleep and avoiding drugs and alcohol are also ways to avoid anxiety. Finally, eating a diet rich in B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids and avoiding fatty foods will also elevate healthy brain function.