WHAT ARE Common TREATMENTS Options FOR A GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER?

* Be aware that the recommended treatments of illnesses are always being improved. This website was last update on 11/1/2024. The best treatment option MIGHT have changed since that time.

1. Psychological Therapy

2. Antidepressants
- Paroxetine SSRI (Paxil)
- Escitalopram SSRI (Lexapro)
- Venlafaxine SNRI (Effexor)
- Duloxetine SNRI (Cymbalta)

3. Other options if the above fail
- Buspirone (Buspar)
- Pregabalin (Lyrica)
- TCA (amitriptyline, nortriptyline)
- Hydroxazine (Atarax)
- Benzodiazepine - (xanax, Ativan, valium)
- Quetiapine (Seroquel) 

Caution:

1. All medication, including all oral medication for anxiety and all medications that come in lotions, ointment, and creams have a risk of side effects.

2. Possible Mild side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, and light to moderate skin rash.

3. Possible Severe side effects are a severe skin rash, an anaphylactic allergic reaction (leading to the inability to breathe and subsequent death if not treated rapidly), and Clostridioides difficile infection (C. Diff.) of the colon.

4. Medications such as creams, lotions, and gels should be tested in small dosages in areas of the body that are not easily seen.

WHAT ARE COMMON SYMPTOMS GENERALIZED ANXIETY?

Anxiety can be either mild or severe. It can start very quickly or can start very slowly.
It can last for minutes such as a panic attack, or can last for years or months.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF GENERALIZED ANXIETY?

1. Genetic factors (if one family member has anxiety others are more likely to have it)
2. Environment (these are things such as family, spouse, children, and work stress)
3. A physical condition - this can be due an illness such as hyperthyroidism or cancer

HOW IS A GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER DIAGNOSED?

A Generalized Anxiety Disorder can be made by a careful history and blood work. A GAD7 Assessment might be made.

GAD7 Assessment

Blood tests may also be done. They are important to make certain a person does not have a physical problem causing the anxiety.