If you jump two feet into the air at every little sound you hear, or cower in the corner at the slightest hustle in the backyard, or shake in fear at the mere thought of stepping out into the public, you are likely to be suffering from a generalized anxiety disorder. This psychological disorder is generally indicated by being overly fearful, nervous, or anxious about anything and everything. Too much worrying, often more than necessary, over something that is not yet real or has not presented itself is a clear sign of such a disorder. This disorder can be diagnosed based on certain criteria that is set by medical professionals. A psychological evaluation would be recommended in order to diagnose this disorder.

Once a patient has been found to have this disorder, a series of psychotherapy sessions could be recommended by the physician. The patient would have to go to these sessions regularly in order to uncover the reasons for the excessive feelings of anxiousness and to teach the patient to manage the emotions and mental processes that lead to these feelings. In cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, the patient is trained by a therapist to switch negative thoughts that cause the patient’s anxiety into positive thoughts. This therapy lets a patient come face to face with what causes his feelings of anxiousness and learn how to parry these thoughts effectively. This kind of therapy is either done as a stand-alone treatment for generalized anxiety disorders or in tandem with an effective pharmacological treatment.

Medication that is often used to treat feelings of excessive anxiousness would include pharmacological treatmetns from different classes. There are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and benzodiazepines. These medications are anti-depressants and sedatives that are given to those who suffer from frequent excessive feelings of anxiousness. Some of these medications, however, are not usually given for long periods of time as they could be habit forming.

Some of those who suffer from this disorder turn to alternative therapies and supplements to find relief. Herbal formulations that contain extracts of herbs and roots that are natural relaxants are found to be effective in giving symptomatic relief for excessive anxiousness. These drugs, however, do not get to the root of the matter and does not alter thought patterns to handle situations that trigger the attacks of excessive anxiousness. Another natural way to fight of this disorder is regular exercise. The natural high that comes from exercising simply does not provide any leeway for any feelings of anxiousness to creep in.

The kind of treatment that would be recommended for one patient with this disorder would differ from another person’s treatment plan. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for this disorder. Consulting your doctor as early as possible is your best course of action if you are to stop the disorder from disrupting your life. A normal life is still possible after you are successfully treated of your disorder. The commitment to stick to your treatment plan would lead to your success in ridding yourself of the disorder and living a life that is free of unfounded fear, nervousnes, and anxiousness.