Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an extremely common disorder that is easily overlooked. Though it's often ignored, patients with GAD can experience just as much distress and require just as much help as any other patient, so I’m hoping to substantiate it a bit more.
GAD is essentially a worry disorder. People find themselves constantly worrying about the future, ruminating about the past, and often feel as though the worry serves an important purpose – even if they hate how it feels. Someone with GAD might say “I’m stuck in my head all the time” or they may receive feedback from loved ones or colleagues that they are both “always stressing out” and “so helpful, what would we do without you?!”. These mixed messages can feel confusing, shameful, and reinforcing. Luckily there are strategies we can learn so we can engage with our thoughts differently, challenge avoidant behaviors, and find greater presence in our daily lives.
Acceptance-Based Behavioral Therapy & Exposure
The most effective way that I have found to challenge constant worrying and experiential avoidance is to engage in exposure therapy that is rooted in acceptance-based behavioral techniques, specifically tailored to the client’s symptoms. I typically work to help patients recognize the cycle of worry and avoidance, learn new strategies for managing their thoughts and emotions, and develop a new behavioral repertoire that allows them to remain present and engaged.