How to find the best generalized anxiety disorder treatment

Feeling anxious is part of human nature. Yet a persistent state of worry that negatively impacts your quality of life may be a sign of something more serious -- generalized anxiety disorder.

It's a condition many Americans must contend with on a daily basis. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, some 6.8 million Americans are affected by the illness.

The first step before moving on to treatment is an accurate diagnosis.

How do I know if I have generalized anxiety?

Generalized anxiety is a condition that's characterized by a variety of mental and physical symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:

• Restlessness
• Intrusive thoughts
• Excessive, out of proportion worrying
• Problems with concentration
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Irritability

These symptoms may not always be present, and may vary with regard to intensity. Generalized anxiety disorder can develop early in childhood, or later in life. Once these symptoms start having a negative effect on your relationships, your work or other areas of your life, it's time to seek anxiety disorder treatment.

How do I find the best anxiety disorder treatment?

It's important to understand that generalized anxiety does not typically go away over time. In fact, symptoms often become more severe in the absence of professional intervention. This means that anyone dealing with the disorder should seek early treatment.

There are two standard approaches to anxiety disorder treatment: medication and psychotherapy. During psychotherapy a patient will speak with a trained counselor to address the underlying issues related to the disorder. The counselor will also teach the patient coping skills and other methods to alleviate out of control anxiety.

In some cases, medication may be used as part of anxiety disorder treatment. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are two common classes of drugs used to address the illness. Some patients may benefit from a combination of therapy and medication.

If you're struggling with generalized anxiety, finding high quality treatment is as simple as picking up the phone, or going online. Most medical insurance plans cover anxiety treatment, and you can ask for a referral from your physician or your insurer.

If you or a loved one could benefit from anxiety disorder treatment, we urge you to seek help today.