Imagine living with a constant feeling of dread or worry and you don't know where this feeling comes from or what is causing it. This is what it is like for people suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder differs from other anxiety problems in that symptoms are less discrete than panic attacks, and without a specific cause like phobias. Symptoms include constant worrying, anxiousness and irritability, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance and difficulties with appetite and sleep. Somatic symptoms can also arise, including gastrointestinal problems, sweating, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, or trembling and twitchiness.
Generalized anxiety disorder may begin in late childhood, with a very gradual, insidious onset. Ultimately, the illness comes to dominate the person's thinking and begins to interfere with relationships, work or school, social activities and health. Interestingly, up to 50% of people with panic attacks or generalized anxiety disorder have a close relative with the disorder, suggesting a genetic basis.
Treatment of generalized anxiety disorder starts with psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoanalytic psychotherapy are important to help elucidate underlying causes of the anxiety and to allow the person to change distorted and possibly harmful thinking, develop coping strategies, learn to work on mental imagery and relaxation techniques.
When therapy alone is not successfully controlling symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, medication can be considered. Antidepressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or antiseizure medications can be effective. When outpatient therapy with or without medication is not sufficient to contain the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, a generalized anxiety disorder treatment center should be considered. Persons in crisis, or those experiencing deleterious effects of the disorder in relation to daily functioning can turn to an intensive outpatient or intensive program with residence, as available at PCH generalized anxiety disorder treatment clinic.
The PCH generalized anxiety treatment center Los Angeles offers a structured daily schedule which includes individual psychotherapy, somatic experiencing, group therapies such as DBT, anger management, process, sleep hygiene and journaling. The PCH generalized anxiety treatment clinic Los Angeles also features holistic adjuncts including massage therapy, acupuncture, mindfulness meditation and art or music therapy. The PCH Treatment program for generalized anxiety disorder features highly experienced clinicians who are adept at dealing with this troubling problem.
When persons with generalized anxiety disorder become progressively debilitated from it, they may turn to self-medication, drugs or alcohol, especially when in crisis. This not only clouds proper diagnosing of the anxiety disorder, but makes treatment more complex. It is important if a person is self-medicating, to get them to a program like PCH generalized anxiety treatment facility, to help them on the road to self-awareness and recovery. Persons who have had symptoms for more than six months, or who have symptoms interfering with daily functioning, or who are self-medicating need the added support and immersive environment available at the PCH generalized anxiety disorder treatment center Los Angeles. With an experienced clinical team, outstanding support staff, and wide array of treatment modalities including holistic healing, PCH generalized anxiety disorder treatment center Los Angeles is unparalleled in turning peoples lives around and helping families regain their health.
