Other self-help strategies such as deep breathing, guided imagery, mindfulness, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation may also be helpful in relieving anxiety symptoms. Many people may worry about things like health, money, or family problems. But people with GAD are more likely to feel extremely worried or nervous about these and other things, even if there’s little or no reason to worry about them.
We’ve mentioned before that moderate stress can help us perform better in difficult situations, but too much or prolonged stress can lead to physical problems. This may include lower levels of immunity, digestive and bowel problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, or psychological problems such as depression. Therefore, we need to manage our stress and keep it healthy to prevent long-term damage to our body and mind. These feelings of anxiety and panic can interfere with daily activities and be difficult to control. They are disproportionate to the actual danger and can cause you to avoid places or situations. Talk therapy can help you figure out the cause of what’s causing your anxiety.
Using mindfulness to stay focused on the present is a simple concept, but it takes time and regular practice to reap the rewards. At first, you’ll probably find that your mind keeps wandering to your worries. Each time you refocus on the present, you’re reinforcing a How to buy 4 MMC new mental habit that will help you break free from the cycle of negative worries. On the other hand, it is also not good to force someone to do something they are afraid of. “Trying to pressure someone who isn’t ready can damage that relationship,” McGuire warns.
You can vent your negative feelings on those closest to you, self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, or try to distract yourself by zoning in front of screens. Learn which situations or actions are causing you stress or increasing your anxiety. Practice the strategies you’ve developed with your mental health care so that you’re ready to deal with anxious feelings in these situations. Practicing a healthy lifestyle can also help fight anxiety, although this alone cannot replace treatment. SSRI and SNRI antidepressants are often used to treat depression, but they can also help treat GAD symptoms. These medicines can also cause side effects, such as headaches, nausea or sleep problems.
If you think you are experiencing GAD symptoms, talk to a health care provider. After discussing your history, a health care provider may perform a physical exam to make sure an unrelated physical problem isn’t causing your symptoms. A health care provider may refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker. The first step to effective treatment is getting a diagnosis, usually from a mental health professional. Some people with anxiety disorders may benefit from joining a self-help or support group and sharing their problems and accomplishments with others. Support groups are available both in person and online.