Generalised Anxiety Disorder

What is generalised anxiety disorder?

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition which can lead you to become extremely anxious about different situations and issues rather than one specific event. It’s characterised by chronic, uncontrollable worrying.

 

People who suffer from Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt calm or relaxed. As soon as one anxious thought dissipates, another thought appears and takes hold for a completely different issue.

What are the symptoms of GAD?

There both psychological and physical symptoms of GAD and these are:

  • Restlessness
  • Feeling constantly ‘on edge’
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Sense of dread
  • Fast, irregular heartbeat
  • Difficulties sleeping
  • Headaches
  • Excessive sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Irritability

Anxiety can manifest itself in lots of different ways and so this isn’t an exhaustive list. The most characteristic feature of Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is the experience of endless and persistent worries that can feel very overwhelming.

Contact Us

Close-up of a therapist taking notes on paper, with a client in a blue jumper seated in the background during a private consultation session at The Chelsea Psychology Clinic.

Treatment for GAD

Treatment for GAD is through a combination of medication and therapy. To begin with, we’ll carry out an initial assessment to explore which therapeutic approach you’ll most benefit from.

 

In some cases, medication will be prescribed on either a short-term or long-term basis. Your GP or our Consultant Psychiatrist can advise about this.

Frequently asked questions

If your anxiety has begun to interfere in your everyday life and relationships and it’s leaving you feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to seek professional help.
By default, anxiety is characterised by a feeling of vulnerability in the world. When external events increase this feeling of threat, you may find that your anxiety symptoms get worse.

Related videos

Start your journey

Today