Generalised anxiety disorder is something you may have for a long time - but there are different treatments available.
Your GP will discuss all the treatment options with you. They will tell you about any possible risks or side effects.
You can decide on the most suitable treatment with your GP.
Initial treatment
Your GP may suggest guided self-help.
This usually involves working from a book or online programme. A health professional such as a psychologist or a mental health nurse will support you.
Ask your GP about local group courses for anxiety. At these courses you and a few other people with similar conditions meet with a therapist every week. You learn ways to manage your anxiety.
You may need talk therapy or medicine if initial supports do not help.
Psychological therapy
Your GP may recommend therapy. For example, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
This involves talking to a trained therapist such as a counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist.
Your GP can refer you to psychological therapy but you do not usually need a referral. If you want you can choose a therapist yourself.
Make sure the therapist is accredited by a professional body such as:
- the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)
- the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)
Primary Care Psychology
A GP or another health professional can refer you to Primary Care Psychology. You can also refer yourself directly.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for generalised anxiety disorder. The benefits may last longer than the benefits from medicine.
CBT helps you manage problems by thinking in a more balanced way. It can free you from unhelpful patterns of behaviour.
It can also help you do things you would usually avoid.
Medicine for generalised anxiety disorder
If psychological treatments and talk therapies do not help, medicine might be the next option.
There is a range of medicines your GP can prescribe to treat general anxiety disorder.
Your GP can discuss options with you in detail, such as:
- the different types of medicines
- the length of treatment
- the side effects and possible interactions with other medicines
You should see your GP regularly while taking medicine for generalised anxiety disorder.
Tell your GP if you think you may be experiencing side effects from your medicine. They may be able to adjust your dose or prescribe another medicine.
The main medicines for treating generalised anxiety are:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Pregabalin
Benzodiazepines
Referral to a specialist
If your anxiety does not go away after treatment, talk to your GP about a referral to a community mental health team (CMHT).
A CMHT usually has the following:
- psychiatrists
- psychiatric nurses
- clinical psychologists
- occupational therapists
- social workers
Members of the mental health team will ask about your difficulties.
They'll ask you about:
- your previous treatment and how well it worked for you
- things that may be affecting your condition, such as other health conditions
- how much support you get from family and friends.
Your mental health team will then develop an individual care plan with you. This will focus on your goals and how to support you.
This plan may include a treatment you have not tried before.
You may need psychological therapy and medicine. A combination of 2 different medicines is also an option.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE