Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterised by excessive, uncontrollable worry about a wide range of everyday issues—such as work, health, relationships, and even minor events. These worries are often disproportionate and persist even when there is little or no reason for concern. People with GAD frequently feel on edge, restless, or fatigued and struggle to relax or focus.

Common Symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder:

• Excessive worry or anxiety about everyday matters
• Difficulty controlling or managing worry
• Restlessness or feeling on edge
• Fatigue or feeling easily tired
• Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Sleep disturbances (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep)

How Generalised Anxiety Disorder Makes You Feel:

Living with GAD can feel like a constant state of tension or fear, even when there’s no immediate threat. The relentless worry can be mentally and physically exhausting, often leading to difficulty concentrating, disrupted sleep, and feelings of frustration. You may also feel isolated or misunderstood, as others may not recognize the depth of your anxiety. These feelings can interfere with your ability to enjoy life or perform everyday tasks.

How CBT Can Help:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for managing Generalised Anxiety Disorder. CBT helps you identify the negative thought patterns that fuel your anxiety and teaches you practical tools to challenge and re frame them. Instead of allowing worries to spiral out of control, CBT encourages you to examine the evidence for your fears, assess their likelihood, and develop healthier, more balanced ways of thinking.

Through CBT, you will also learn techniques to manage physical symptoms of anxiety, such as relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, and mindfulness practices. This enables you to cope more effectively with stressful situations and reduce the intensity of your anxiety.

How EMDR Can Help:

EMDR works by targeting the root experiences that created your sense of constant worry, fear, and hyper-alertness. Instead of only managing symptoms, EMDR helps reprocess the memories that taught your nervous system that the world is unsafe. As these memories are reprocessed, your brain learns that the danger has passed — reducing chronic anxiety, physical tension, and overthinking.

Benefits of Therapy for Generalised Anxiety Disorder:

• Identifying and challenging irrational or unhelpful thoughts
• Learning coping skills for managing worry and physical anxiety symptoms
• Developing strategies for relaxation and stress management
• Gaining control over negative thinking patterns
• Building confidence in your ability to handle life’s challenges
• Increasing resilience to future stressors

CBT offers a structured, goal-oriented approach to managing GAD. By equipping you with the skills to break the cycle of worry and anxiety, EMDR empowers you to regain control over your thoughts and emotions. If you’re ready to take the first step toward managing your anxiety and improving your well-being, book a free consultation today to see how CBT & EMDR can help you.