Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Takes Over
Effective treatments combine therapy and, if needed, medication.
Dr. Élise Rambert
Psychiatrist
Excessive worry on most days for at least 6 months, with restlessness, fatigue, concentration difficulty, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance.
First-line treatment
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- SSRIs (sertraline, escitalopram) or SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine)
- Benzodiazepines only short-term
Lifestyle
Regular aerobic exercise reduces anxiety symptoms. Limit caffeine and alcohol. Mindfulness-based stress reduction has good evidence.
When to escalate
Suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, or functional impairment require prompt specialist input.
Untreated anxiety doubles cardiovascular and metabolic risk over time.
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