What is GAD?

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterised by excessive worry and subsequent anxiety in multiple areas of your life, for example, your own and / or others wellbeing, your finances, relationships, appearance, what others thinks about you, punctuality and work, to name just a few.

GAD triggers typically include when things do not do to plan or there is uncertainty about an outcome. Many people do not like uncertainty because as humans, we like to feel in control. However, for some, uncertainty causes extreme levels of anxiety. This can be linked to having uncertainty or instability in our childhood, and so it makes sense that as adults we may crave certainty more than others might. 

The anxiety often generated by worry thoughts in people with GAD can contribute to various physical difficulties, such as tension, gastrointestinal problems and poor sleep, and these symptoms can themselves, bring about further worries. 

Do I have GAD?

Symptoms of GAD

• Worrying about a lot of different things
• Feeling overwhelmed by worries
• Often feeling nervous anxious or on edge
• Feeling restless
• Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen
• Knowing that you shouldn’t worry about things, but feel unable to stop it
• Feeling angry / irritable
• Feeling exhausted by worries
• Experiencing physical signs of anxiety, such as muscular tension, poor sleep, gastrointestinal problems (e.g., IBS)

Online therapy and treatment for GAD

There are many approaches that have been found to be helpful in helping people to manage and overcome GAD, particularly CBT, ACT and EMDR. 

At Counselling Psychology Online, many of our online therapists are trained in these approaches and have several years’ experience in helping people overcome GAD. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to arrange an initial assessment session.

You may also wish to look at our resources page for further ideas of getting help to managing your generalised anxiety.

FAQs

Please see answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about GAD. Please email [email protected] or telephone 07584 328192 for any other questions.