FAQs

I think I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Where should I go for help?

To begin with, you should visit your GP if anxiety is affecting your daily life or is causing you distress.

What is the difference between panic and anxiety?

Panic is a sudden and intense response to a normal thought or sensation. Anxiety is more of a psychological condition, prolonged by thought processes which make the condition worse.

Am I alone with my anxiety?

No. You are one of tens of millions of people worldwide who suffer from anxiety. In any population, 5% of us are likely to be affected by GAD.

Can I die from anxiety?

No. Anxiety feels horrible but it is just your body reacting inappropriately to normal thoughts or feelings.

Is anxiety hereditary?

No, anxiety is not hereditary. However, genetic factors can affect the way you feel and could make it more likely that you develop an anxiety disorder.

Has stress caused my anxiety disorder?

Stress is a common factor in the development of anxiety disorders and can prolong an existing anxiety condition. However it is not usually the only factor.

Can I be well again?

GAD is a complex condition which doesn’t necessarily go away, nor does it necessarily get worse. Many people with GAD find their symptoms come and go. Some days they may feel fine, while other days the psychological and physical symptoms may be intense enough to stop them from working, socialising and doing other things they enjoy.

Treatment is effective, helping you to restore the imbalance in your thought processes. Exercise and relaxation techniques can also help your recovery.

What are non-medication therapies?

Non-medication therapies are very useful in the treatment of GAD. They include CBT, computerised CBT, applied relaxation, counselling, sleep hygiene and hypnotherapy to name some of the options on offer.

What are talking therapies?

Talking therapies are a range of treatments that involve the patient talking openly about their feelings and how they feel about everyday situations. In the context of GAD, it is an umbrella term for CBT, computerised CBT, counselling and applied relaxation.

What is CBT?

CBT stands for cognitive behavioural therapy, the aim of which is to help you manage your problems by changing how you think and act by encouraging you to discuss the following with a therapist:

•    How you think about yourself, the world and other people

•    How what you do affects your thoughts and feelings.

What is CCBT?

CCBT stands for computerised CBT. Essentially, it is the same as CBT, but instead of a therapist there is a computer programme. This is preferred by some people who are uncomfortable about sharing their private thoughts with another person.

What are relaxation techniques?

Relaxation techniques can be anything from specific ways of deep breathing, through to applied relaxation where you learn to relax your muscles in a particular way.

What is involved in group work?

Group work is normally used to refer to a group of services (talking therapies, relaxation techniques, sleep hygiene, etc) that are used together to improve the symptoms of GAD.

Why should I talk to friends and family about GAD?

Although friends and family might not be going through the same thing as you, they are part of your support network and it often helps to share your problems with someone you know, who will listen.

Does it matter that I don’t get much sleep?

It’s very important that you sleep well if you have GAD. If you have trouble sleeping there are lots of things you can do, such as avoiding stimulants, ensuring the room where you sleep is comfortable and adopting a bedtime routine you stick to as much as possible.

How important is relaxation?

Like getting a good night’s sleep, relaxation is very important as it also helps to improve the symptoms of GAD. Relaxation techniques are an important part of the structured treatment for GAD and there are simple techniques you can learn and practise yourself.