Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, is a condition characterized by chronic worrying, restlessness, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension and trouble sleeping, according to MayoClinic.com. It is a chronic condition that requires continuing treatment. The most effective treatment of generalized anxiety disorder usually involves a combination of drug therapy and psychotherapy.
Anti-Anxiety Medications
Benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medication. In small doses, benzodiazepines work as a sedative by promoting relaxation and relieving anxiety and muscle tension. Benzodiazepines are recommended only for short-term use. Long-term use can cause the patient to not only build a tolerance to the medication, but also be at risk for developing a dependency, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Buspirone is another anti-anxiety medication available. It is approved for long-term use, but it usually takes about two weeks before any anti-anxiety effects are noticed, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.
Antidepressants
Although initially developed for the treatment of depression, antidepressant drugs are helpful in treating generalized anxiety disorder as well. It usually takes about four to six weeks for these medications to start taking effect, so it is important to continue use for a significant amount of time, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. There are three classes of effective antidepressants: SSRIs, tricyclics and MAOIs. SSRIs, or serotonin reuptake inhibitors, inhibit the absorption of serotonin, which results in increased levels of serotonin in the body. Serotonin has been shown to improve mood. Tricyclics inhibit the absorption of serotonin along with norepinephrine and dopamine, which are neutrotransmitters that have also been linked to an increase in positive mood and behavior, according to MayoClinic.com. MAOIs, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, work by inhibiting monoamine oxidase, which is an enzyme responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters. If neurotransmitters are left intact, the concentration in the body increases, thus improving mood.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are normally used to treat heart conditions but can be an effective way to treat the physical symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder. Beta blockers work by blocking the hormone epinephrine, which is also called adrenaline, according to MayoClinic.com. Adrenaline is responsible for an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and the activation of the body's stress response. Inhibiting the production of epinephrine lowers heart rate and stress, and thus reduces the physical symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
Psychotherapy
The psychotherapy technique most often used for generalized anxiety disorder is cognitive behavior therapy. The cognitive aspect of therapy works to change the thought patterns of anxious individuals, switching from a negative way of thinking to a positive mentality. The behavior aspect of therapy works to change the way people react to situations that may trigger their anxiety, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. For maximum effectiveness, the therapy must be tailored to the person's specific fears and anxieties. As a consequence, results vary from person to person.
