When daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear and dread, you may have generalized anxiety disorder. At Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital we can help you manage the feelings that disrupt your day-to-day activities.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder may include:
- Excessive, ongoing worry and tension
- Restlessness or a feeling of being "edgy"
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Trembling
It's normal to feel anxious at times, but when your worry interferes too much with your work and your personal life then it's time to see a doctor.
Treatment for Anxiety
Our Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you understand that your thoughts cause your feelings and behaviors. By focusing on the way you think about a stressful situation - not the situation itself - we can help you change your responses and behaviors.
Our therapists will work with you through three phases of therapy:
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Individual Assessment: In this phase, you'll meet with a CBT therapist to gather history, formulate a diagnosis, develop a treatment plan and determine frequency of visits. Medication management, which may be used very effectively in conjunction with CBT, may also be discussed.
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Skills Acquisition: You'll meet individually with a CBT therapist to learn cognitive behavioral skills and strategies. These sessions are designed to teach relaxation strategies and to learn ways to restructure negative thoughts that are often the stimuli for anxiety, worry and depressive feelings. During this phase you'll work with your therapist to uncover basic beliefs and/or critical incidents that shape your thoughts and reactions. "Homework" assignments will help you identify and record situations that cause anxious and depressive reactions.
- Response Prevention: During this final, critical part of the recovery process, you'll practice the application of techniques and strategies you have learned in actual anxiety/depression provoking situations. Homework changes from recording emotions, thoughts and behaviors to a more experiential mode. Together with your therapist you'll identify situations that may have produced immobilizing anxiety or depression months before and plan an activity that allows you to test your cognitive behavioral strategies.
Make an Appointment with Laureate
The Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program at Laureate is available to anyone diagnosed with a mood and anxiety disorder. If you suspect you or a loved one may have an anxiety disorder, please visit your mental health provider or search our provider directory to find one that fits your needs.
For questions, or to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional, please call the Laureate Outpatient Clinic, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 918-491-3700.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, dial 911.