Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Milton Keynes

I will help you to understand your current thought patterns. In particular, to identify any harmful, unhelpful and ‘false’ ideas or thoughts which you have that can make you anxious. The aim is then to change your ways of thinking to avoid these ideas. Also, to help your thought patterns to be more realistic and helpful.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is probably the most effective treatment. Studies show that it works for over half of people with GAD to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Cognitive behavioural therapy is based on the idea that certain ways of thinking can trigger, or ‘fuel’, certain mental health problems such as anxiety.

Therapy is usually done in weekly sessions for several weeks. You have to take an active part, and are given ‘homework’ between sessions. For example, you may be asked to keep a diary of the thoughts which occur when you become anxious or develop physical symptoms of anxiety.(Note: cognitive behavioural therapy is not a therapy that ‘looks into the events of the past’ but deals with your current thought processes.)

I would also use hypnosis / hypnotherapy  as a relaxation tool in conjunction with CBT to increase the impact of the therapy.

For help and a free initial consultation either phone 01908 265410 or e-mail leigh@setyourmindfree.co.uk

 

What is GAD?

Individuals suffering from this often anticipate tragedy and worry extremely about family, money and health. Generalised anxiety disorder interferes with daily life and is usually diagnosed when an individual spends at least six months worrying excessively about normal everyday problems. Other minor issues such as chores or appointments can also cause anxiety and for some, just getting through the day, can be extremely stressful.

They can’t relax, startle easily, and have difficulty concentrating. Often they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

When their anxiety level is mild, people with GAD can function socially and hold down a job. Although they don’t avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder, people with GAD can have difficulty carrying out the simplest daily activities if their anxiety is severe.

Symptoms:

•    Fatigue

•    headaches

•    muscle tension

•    muscle ache

•    difficulty swallowing

•    trembling

•    twitching

•    irritability

•    sweating

•    nausea

•    light-headedness

•    having to go to the bathroom frequently

•    feeling out of breath

•    hot flushes

Causes:

Generalised anxiety disorder may be caused by both biological and psychological factors. The presence of GAD has previously been linked to abnormalities in a number of different brain chemicals, particularly those known to be associated with fear and emotional responses. Moreover, the symptoms of GAD appear to worsen during periods of stress. Although some studies have reported that GAD runs in families, others have not found this connection. Feelings of worry, dread, lack of energy, and a loss of interest in life are common. Many times there is no cause for these feelings and the person realises these feelings are irrational. Nevertheless, the feelings are very real.

Normal life stresses appear to aggravate generalized anxiety. The person who typically performs well at work and achieves a sense of accomplishment from it, all of a sudden finds that work has become drudgery. If work is perceived as a negative environment, and the person no longer feels fulfilled, then considerable worry takes place over these situations. As a result, the anticipatory anxiety about going to work can become quite strong.