Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment In San Diego
Achieve Concierge in San Diego, California, provides personalized, holistic and collaborative treatment plans for addressing a range of mental health concerns, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). We’re committed to treating all aspects of the individual and engaging people on various levels of care to ensure long-term success and healing from anxiety.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress and can be described as a feeling of worry or unease. It is a normal part of life that everyone experiences at some point. In some cases, anxiety can be helpful, helping to motivate someone to prepare for a job interview or study for an exam. However, when anxiety becomes excessive, it can interfere with daily activities.
GAD is a mental health condition characterized by frequent, excessive and persistent worry and anxiety about various situations or events. People with GAD experience chronic and unrealistic worry about a wide range of things, such as health, job responsibilities, finances, relationships and more, even if there is little reason to be concerned. The symptoms of GAD vary from person to person but can be very disruptive, making it difficult to concentrate, focus on work or school and relax, even during leisure time.
If you experience persistent anxiety, you’re not alone. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), GAD is a common mental health concern that affects nearly 7 million adults in the United States. At Achieve Concierge, we understand the impact that GAD has on your life and well-being. Our personalized treatment plans can help you manage your symptoms and achieve a lasting sense of calm and balance.
Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
The symptoms of GAD can significantly affect your daily life and interfere with your ability to function normally. They may also cause you to avoid situations that trigger your anxiety, negatively impacting your career, relationships and more. GAD can range from mild to severe and manifest differently in each person, but common symptoms include:
- Excessive worry and anxiety about various situations
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Difficulty controlling distressing thoughts
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Sleep problems
- Trouble concentrating
GAD can also be accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, trouble breathing, nausea and sweating. While occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, people with GAD feel extremely worried about everyday situations, even when there’s no reason to be.
Diagnosing Generalized Anxiety Disorder
GAD is diagnosed when an individual experiences excessive and persistent worry and anxiety about everyday situations that won’t go away, along with physical symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue and sleep problems. Healthcare providers use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to diagnose mental health concerns like GAD.
Other criteria include:
- Excessive and persistent worry that lasts for a minimum of six months
- Difficulty controlling the anxiety and worrying
- Significant distress or impaired daily functioning caused by the anxiety
- The anxiety isn’t due to an underlying cause (e.g., substance use or thyroid issues)
It’s important to note that anxiety can look different from person to person. Additionally, not everyone who experiences feelings of worry and anxiety has GAD. If worry and anxiety begin to interfere with your daily life, relationships or overall well-being, it may be a sign of GAD and should be evaluated by a mental health professional.
Myths & Facts About Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, many myths surround GAD, which can lead to stigma and discrimination. By addressing some of these misconceptions, our goal is to provide accurate information that helps individuals understand the disorder better.
Myth: GAD is just normal worrying.
Fact: While worrying is a normal part of life, people with GAD experience excessive and persistent worry about everyday situations. GAD is a mental health concern that requires proper treatment.
Myth: People with GAD should avoid all stressful situations.
Fact: Avoiding all risk and stress can have the unintended consequence of reinforcing anxious feelings. Instead, people with GAD learn healthy ways to cope with situations that cause them stress or anxiety.
Myth: GAD is not a serious disorder.
Fact: GAD is a serious mental health disorder that can significantly impact an individual’s daily life, relationships and overall well-being. If left untreated, GAD can lead to more severe and long-lasting effects on an individual’s mental, physical and emotional health.
Myth: Medication is the only treatment for GAD.
Fact: While medication can be helpful in managing GAD symptoms. However, GAD is a mental health disorder that requires comprehensive and personalized care to achieve long-term recovery and wellness. Effective treatment plans often include the use of therapy medication and lifestyle changes.
Myth: GAD only affects adults.
Fact: GAD can affect individuals of all ages, including children, adolescents and adults. If you suspect that your adolescent or child is experiencing symptoms of GAD, it’s essential to seek help from a professional to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment at Achieve Concierge
Achieve Concierge provides treatment for GAD in San Diego that looks at the whole picture and considers your mental, physical and emotional health needs to ensure your long-term wellness. We understand that each individual is unique, so you’ll receive a highly personalized treatment plan that utilizes evidence-based techniques to help you manage your symptoms. Some of the specific strategies we may use include:
- Individual psychotherapy: Our team of licensed therapists provides one-on-one therapy sessions to help you manage your symptoms.
- Medication management: If medication is determined to be beneficial, our medical team provides psychopharmacology and medication management services to ensure that you receive the appropriate prescription at the right dosage.
- Advanced techniques: We offer various advanced techniques that can be implemented into your treatment plan, such as neurofeedback, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
- Lifestyle changes: Our team will help you make positive lifestyle changes that can help you manage stress, improve your symptoms and feel calmer.
Achieve Concierge’s tailored approach helps individuals with GAD achieve long-term recovery and wellness by addressing the root cause of their symptoms. Our goal is to help you find relief from your anxiety with treatment methods that work for you. We understand that GAD can be a complex mental health disorder, so we’re here to provide you with compassionate and personalized care every step of the way.
Schedule a Consultation at Achieve Concierge Today
If you or a loved one is struggling with generalized anxiety disorder, we can help. Achieve Concierge provides personalized, collaborative treatment plans developed just for you. Schedule a consultation today to start your journey toward renewed health and wellness. Our team of mental health professionals will conduct a thorough evaluation and assessment to better understand your needs and find the solutions that work for you.
Don’t wait any longer to take control of your anxiety. To get started, click here to complete our online contact form or call us at (619) 393-5920. Our clinical team is available to answer any questions you might have and provide guidance on the next steps.