How to Cope With General Anxiety Disorder

As public awareness about general anxiety disorder is increased, there is increasing public discussion about the strategies sufferers use to cope with the disorder. Once you accept the presence of the disorder in your life and recognize how destructive it can be if left untreated, you will be in a better position to devote enthusiasm, planning and energy to a comprehensive effort to cope with the disorder and its symptoms.

Things You'll Need

• Primary care physician
• Journal

Show More

Instructions

Respect the Medical Nature of General Anxiety Disorder

• 1

  Validate your belief and experience that you are suffering from a serious disorder by keeping a journal of symptoms and incidents and contacting your primary care physician or psychiatrist to begin the process of getting a formal diagnosis.

• 2

  Make medical or psychiatric treatment, including "talk" psychotherapy, a cornerstone among your strategies to cope with general anxiety disorder.

• 3

  Consider asking your primary care physician or psychiatrist to prescribe medication to help you cope with the most intense symptoms of general anxiety disorder that may be affecting your ability to perform a job or carry on other responsibilities.

Supplement Treatment With Other Strategies to Cope With General Anxiety Disorder

• 4

  Establish positive daily routines such as aerobic exercise, medication and a daily conversation with a supportive friend, loved one or self-help group sponsor to help reduce stress and provide structure and calm in your life.

• 5

  Remove or reduce destructive or anxiety-triggering influences in your daily life. These may include people, places or things as well as substances such as alcohol, caffeine or drugs. You may need help to make such changes.

• 6

  Participate in a 12-step or other self-help group to help deal with self-destructive activities and to share your goals, achievements and experiences with others.

• 7

  Appeal to your family and friends for support and understanding and encourage them to learn more about general anxiety disorder.

• 8

  Ask your partner or another loved one to consider joining you in a meeting with your psychotherapist if you feel she is undermining or trivializing your treatment and recovery efforts. Such a meeting may help her to understand the importance of being helpful and the best ways of accomplishing that.