Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common type of anxiety disorder that can manifest itself during adulthood. As the name suggests, it describes a mental illness that causes an individual to chronically worry about everyday things that are (mostly) out of their control, to a point where anxiety kicks in and causes them to act irrationally. This type of anxiety disorder is more common in Gauteng. Luckily, Beethoven Recovery Centre offers professional treatment solutions for GAD at our psychiatric care facility near Gauteng.
In this article, we talk about the reality of GAD and how this anxiety disorder can be treated. It is important to note that treatment for mental disorders does not result in being fully “cured” from it, but rather having more control over it and having the opportunity to live a life that is not solely being driven by the mental illness.
What is GAD?
- Definition: GAD is defined as being much more than just worrying about everything. It is described as a pervasive and chronic psychological condition that includes irrational, uncontrollable, and excessive levels of anxiety about daily occurrences. It also has a lifespan, with the possibility to resurface down the road. For the most part, GAD persists for a minimum of 6 months and can be present for longer periods.
- Physical Toll: GAD causes a consistent deluge of cortisol and adrenaline to flood the mind and body. This leads to:
- Chronic muscle tension on the neck and shoulders, as well as occasional jaw pain.
- Being on edge and having a short fuse.
- Being highly irritable and experiencing insomnia.
- Dealing with “brain fog” and struggling to concentrate.
How Can GAD be Treated?
- Removal from a Familiar Environment: GAD is usually triggered by events throughout a standard daily routine for an adult who lives in Gauteng. This can include something as trivial as commuting to work throughout the day or preparing dinner in the evenings. By removing the patient from such an environment, they can focus on their treatment and their recovery instead.
- Somatic Grounding: Since GAD takes such a physical toll, it is important to employ physical recreation as part of the treatment plan. This allows patients to burn off excessive levels of adrenaline and combat the deluge of cortisol to the brain. Our psychiatric care facility has a plethora of physical activities to enjoy, including volleyball, swimming, and table tennis to name a few examples.
- Occupational Therapy and Sensory Regulation: This type of therapy helps the patient to focus on the “here and now” as opposed to running laps in their head and promoting their anxiety. This includes arts and crafts and relaxation groups to promote active mindfulness (being present in the present).
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: This type of therapy is used to teach the patient to not worry about things that are not in their control. GAD patients usually jump to worst-case scenarios that are highly unlikely to ever occur. CBT helps them to focus on the things that they CAN control instead.
Beethoven Recovery Centre is your first choice in a psychiatric care facility near Gauteng. Feel free to browse our website for details on our facilities and contact us today if you have any inquiries about our psychiatric treatment solutions.