Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Therapist Q&A
When a person has three or more symptoms and struggles to control worry on most days for at least six months, they are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). You may experience anxiety along with other symptoms such as restlessness, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, impatience, increased muscle tension, and difficulty falling asleep. Generalized anxiety disorder treatment is available at Gold Counseling. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Riverdale, Kaysville, Draper, and St. George, UT.




Table of Contents:
What is meant by generalized anxiety disorder?
Can a person with GAD live a normal life?
What are the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder?
What is the main cause of generalized anxiety disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder is a very common type of mental health disorder that can develop at any age and will often persist if left untreated.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a type of mental health disorder that is characterized by excessive and/or persistent worrying about various daily life aspects. Those with GAD will often have increased difficulty in controlling feelings of worry, resulting in this worry or various fears interfering with their ability to engage in daily activities and their relationships. There are quite a few different symptoms from which patients can suffer, ranging quite a bit in intensity, so the diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder is often provided when the primary symptom of excessive worry persists for at least six months and starts to lead to substantial distress or impairment in the individual. These qualifications help individuals to distinguish between occasional feelings of anxiety or fear versus having the mental health condition of generalized anxiety.
Although living with any mental health conditions, generalized anxiety disorder included can lead to a variety of challenges, and can interfere with daily life, many individuals diagnosed with GAD will go on to live very fulfilling lives. To reduce the impact of GAD on their daily lives, individuals are encouraged to find a qualified mental healthcare provider who can provide them with proper treatment and support. Through personalized treatment plans, those with GAD can learn effective coping strategies to help manage their anxiety, with commonly recommended coping strategies including:
• Deep breathing exercises
• Practicing techniques for relaxation
• Regularly engaging in physical exercise
• Maintaining a balanced diet
• Practicing mindfulness
• Techniques for stress reduction and time management
Seeking professional support through a mental health care specialist can provide individuals with the techniques, strategies and any other helpful therapies available, with many individuals suffering from GAD finding significant relief for their anxiety through talk therapy, medications, or other interventions that can only be provided through professional guidance. To reduce the impact of GAD on your life, seeking out professional support will ensure that you have access to the guidance and support you need as they will provide you with a variety of tools and treatments to help you find options that are effective for your situation and symptoms.
While every individual will experience different symptoms, and the severity of the symptoms can shift or evolve, the most frequently experienced symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder include:
• Excessive worrying and fears regarding everyday activities, events, or situations;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Feelings of restlessness, on edge, or easily becoming fatigued;
• Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or not feeling rested after a full night’s sleep;
• Headaches, stomach aches, aches and pains;
• Muscle tension and irritability;
• Avoiding specific situations that tend to lead to increased anxiety;
• Feeling overwhelmed.
It is important to remember that many of these symptoms may be experienced temporarily and do not necessarily indicate a diagnosis of GAD. This list does not include all possible symptoms of GAD as well, and these symptoms can vary quite a bit from person to person in presentation and intensity. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and they are affecting any aspects of your daily life, professional support will most likely be beneficial.
There is no single identified cause of GAD, but there are a variety of factors that can contribute to an increased risk of developing GAD. Individuals with a family history of anxiety disorders can be at an increased risk of developing GAD. Imbalances of serotonin or norepinephrine in the brain can also contribute to an increased risk of developing GAD. Environmental factors leading to the development of generalized anxiety disorder can include experiencing ongoing stress or suffering a traumatic event. Every individual with GAD will experience it differently and will likely have unique factors in their life that have contributed to the development of the condition with the causes varying quite a bit among individuals. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Riverdale UT, Washington Terrace UT, Clinton UT, Kaysville UT, Clearfield UT, Farmington UT, Draper UT, Riverton UT, Sandy UT, St. George UT, Bloomington UT, Santa Clara, UT, and surrounding areas.


Additional Services You May Need
▸ Relationship Counselling
▸ Couples Counselling
▸ Individual Therapy
▸ EMDR Therapy
▸ Spiritual Healing
▸ Disordered Eating
▸ LGBTQIA+ Therapy
▸ Group Psychotherapy
▸ Life Coaching Therapist
▸ Depression Treatment
▸ Mental Health Clinic
▸ Life Transition Therapy
▸ Telehealth Counseling
▸ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
▸ Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)