What is GAD and panic disorder?
GAD & Panic Disorder, is a mental health condition characterised by excessive and persistent worry about many aspects of life. For example, people with GAD may worry about family, money, work, and other everyday situations.
In many cases, this worry is constant and difficult to control. As a result, individuals often anticipate disaster in situations where there is no clear reason for concern. In fact, people suffering from GAD frequently expect the worst to happen even when there is no obvious threat.
In contrast, a panic attack is an episode of sudden and intense physical reactions that occur without an apparent cause or real danger. During these episodes, people may feel an overwhelming sense of fear.
For instance, someone experiencing a panic attack might feel like they are losing control, having a heart attack, or even dying. Although many people may experience occasional panic attacks, repeated episodes can develop into panic disorder.
Therefore, if panic attacks become recurrent and lead to changes in behaviour or lifestyle due to fear of future attacks, the condition may be diagnosed as panic disorder.
What are the signs of GAD and panic disorder?
People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder often experience several symptoms. For example, common symptoms include:
Ongoing and excessive worry and tension
Feeling constantly on edge or uneasy
Irritability
Muscle tension
Headaches
Sweating
Difficulty concentrating
Similarly, panic attacks involve a range of physical and emotional symptoms. For instance, these may include:
Sense of impending doom
Fear of death or loss of control
Increased heart rate
Sweating, shaking, or trembling
Shortness of breath
Chills without fever
Hot flashes or nausea
Abdominal cramps
Chest pain and headaches
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Numbness or tingling sensations
What is the recommended treatment for anxiety?
The decision to treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder usually depends on how much it affects a person’s daily life. Typically, treatment includes medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.
For some individuals, psychotherapy alone may be sufficient. However, others may benefit from combining therapy with medication in order to manage their symptoms more effectively.
How can psychotherapy and counselling help?
Psychotherapy and counselling are often used as the first approach for treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder. In particular, therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), integrative psychotherapy, and other psychological treatments have proven to be highly effective.
During therapy sessions, individuals learn practical skills to manage their worries. As a result, they can gradually return to activities they may have avoided because of anxiety.
Furthermore, therapy helps people recognise their anxiety triggers and develop strategies to control them. Over time, these skills can significantly reduce the intensity and frequency of anxiety symptoms.
How to Book a Session
Taking the first step towards therapy can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help. To make the process easier, you can book a session or learn more about our services by:
- Calling us on +443302236075
- Emailing us at info@novaselves.co.uk
- Filling out our online contact form.
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