Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a condition characterized by exaggerated and excessive anxiety and worries concerning everyday life events with no justifiable reasons for worry. People with this condition tend to always expect a disastrous event and they cannot stop being worried about things like money, health, school, work, family, and other things. Feeling anxious from time to time in your life especially if there are stressing experiences is treated as a normal thing. However, extreme and continuous anxiety and worry that affects every day activities is a sign of generalized anxiety disorder. The condition affects 3.1% of US citizens. Recent data from the disease surveillance and response department indicates that 6.8 million Americans
suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. GAD majorly affects the way people think but the excessive can also result to physical signs (Sansgiry & Sail, 2006). Symptoms of GAD include: an impracticable view of events, irritability, continuous worry and tension, restlessness, lack of sleep, difficulty of concentrating, muscle tension, and being easily distressed. Prevalence of GAD is on the rise in various populations like children, and students. There are different methods employed for treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, with every treatment having its own approach and level of efficiency. The paper will talk about three different treatment methods through critically analyzing their approaches, and efficacy. The treatment methods are: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotional Regulation Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Safe and effective treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorders are available. The most common cause of concern for GAD victims or their family members is how to identify the most effective treatment method. Several research studies have been conducted on dissimilar subjects and the effectiveness of each treatment method has been established. A researcher like Mitte (2005) carried out a research that compared the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Other researchers have also conducted various studies to ascertain effectiveness of various treatment strategies. Knowledge gained from such studies is vital for victims or their closely related people to elect the most effective treatment method (Treanor, Erisman, Salters-Pedneault, Roemer, & Orsillo, 2010). Treatment methods for GAD include medication as well as various therapies. A combination of medication and therapy has been also proved effective. Decision about treatment method is reliant on the needs and preferences and ought to be discussed with a professional who has a clear understanding of yr health condition and diagnosis. Success in treatment varies depending on the method of treatment. Some victims might take long to respond on a certain treatment method and take shorter time when a different treatment method is applied. The studies that were conducted helped to uncover crucial information concerning each treatment method that can be applied to treat victims. The samples used in the studies consisted relevant subjects for instance individuals suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. The sample sizes were also suitable to give reliable results. The researches carried out the different treatment methods suggested that cognitive behavioral therapy is amongst the most effective methods of treating generalized anxiety disorder.
People suffering from GAD are subject to therapy that helps them learn how to recognize and change behavior patterns and thoughts a result to anxious feelings. This method of treatment is known as cognitive behavioral therapy. It helps to minimize distorted thinking through viewing worries in a more realistic way. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective, well established, and lasting treatment. In reference to Mitte (2005), the results of CBT are seen 12 and 16 weeks. The duration depends on the individual undergoing treatment. To some victims of GAD, the results of CBT can be seen even before 12 weeks. The treatment method characteristically involves reading about the problem, keeping records amid appointments, in addition to completing homework assignments in which the procedures of treatment are accomplished. Through the therapy sessions, patients suffering from GAD gain understanding of various skills. The outcomes of the treatment method depend on how often the skills are repeated. This statement implies that the skills need to be practiced from time to time. In this therapy, the patient is actively and fully involved in his or her own recovery. Patients ought to gain a sense of control, as well as acquiring skills that are helpful throughout life. When compared to other treatment methods like pharmacotherapy, CBT is more effective. The efficacy of CBT over pharmacotherapy was determined through a study using Meta analytic techniques. However, the outcomes of the study were also affected by Meta analytic method applied. The sample consisted of 65 participants and it was good to achieve reliable outcomes (Mite,
2005). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) applies strategies of acceptance and mindfulness. People suffering from GAD are influenced to live in the moment as well as experiencing things without judgment. In addition, ACT applies behavior change and commitment as a strategy to cope with unnecessary feelings, thoughts, and sensations. This treatment method passes on skills to accept the experiences, put them in a special perspective, developing greater clarity concerning personal values, along with commitment to necessary changes in behavior. In a study to examine virtual efficiency of ACT as a treatment method for GAD, 38 participants were involved and its usefulness over other methods like CBT was established. This method of treatment for GAD focuses on reducing the behavior regulatory function of anxiety plus related cognitions. ACT is strongly geared towards behavior modification that is consistent with values of a client. Research has revealed the two fundamental objectives of the therapeutic method. One of the objectives of ACT in relation to treatment of generalized anxiety disorder is to train acceptance of problematic disobliging feelings and thoughts that cannot and possibly need not to be controlled. The second objective is to influence a client to be committed and act towards living a life controlled by chosen values. The two objectives explain why ACT is based on acceptance and change at the same time. Patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder learn to manage their struggle with their discomforts related to anxiety and take control by getting involved in actions that move them in relation to their life values. Acceptance and commitment therapy also equips patients with skills to appreciate and observe unfavorable thoughts and feelings the way they are (Avdagic, Morrissey, & Boschen, 2014). Despite evidence of success through use of cognitive behavioral therapies and other treatment methods for emotional disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, a sizeable subgroup of patients fails to show evidence of adequate response to treatment. A research study conducted by Menin, Fresco, Ritter, and Heimberg (2015) revealed how Emotional Regulation Therapy (ERT) is effective for treatment of GAD. Emotional regulation therapy incorporate aspects of traditional and cognitive behavioral therapies, mindfulness, as well as emotional focused interventions in a structure that replicates basic and intermediary findings in have an effect on science. Basically, emotional regulation therapy is a mechanism targeted intercession focused on outlines of motivational dysfunction at the same time cultivating skills of emotional regulation (Menin, Fresco, Ritter, and Heimberg, 2015). In cases where other treatment methods for generalized anxiety disorder have proved to be less effective, emotional regulation therapy is used as the most effective alternative. In a study that involved 20 generalized anxiety disorder patients, the efficacy of ERT was tested. After several sessions, the researchers concluded that the treatment method is very effective and recommended it for treatment of GAD. The increasing prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder has influenced research on various treatment methods. Since there are various treatment methods for emotional disorders like GAD, studies to ascertain the effectiveness of the various methods of treatment for the condition were necessary (Koszycki, Bilodeau, Raab-Mayo, & Bradwejn, 2013). The paper has critically analyzed three major treatment methods for the disease and their efficacy levels have also been established. The treatment methods that have been discussed are: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotional Regulation Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Cognitive behavioral therapy helps victims learn how to recognize and change behavior patterns and thoughts a result to anxious feelings. In addition, it helps to minimize distorted thinking through viewing worries in a more realistic way. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) applies strategies of acceptance and mindfulness. People suffering from GAD are influenced to live in the moment as well as experiencing things without judgment. In addition, ACT applies behavior change and commitment as a strategy to cope with unnecessary feelings, thoughts, and sensations. Emotional regulation therapy is a mechanism targeted intercession focused on outlines of motivational dysfunction at the same time cultivating skills of emotional regulation