ARP 331 Medication Options for Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2023

I’ve done a couple of episodes on generalized anxiety disorder, sometimes referred to as GAD. However, there have been changes to some of the medication treatment options.

And there are new options that did not exist in 2016 or 2018 so I thought that I’d catch everyone up on what is going to be current for the foreseeable future.

That is the topic for today's episode.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

How to Tell if Shortness of Breath Is From Anxiety and How to Treat It from Livestrong.com

Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a four question screener to help you figure out if you have GAD. The site also has a brochure about what the condition is and some of the treatment options. 

The National Institute of Mental Health has a web page and downloadable booklet on Generalized Anxiety Disorder aka GAD.

Consumer Version of the Merck Manual pages on General Anxiety Disorder with a short video about GAD. 

Prior episode on Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP Pebble in the Road on Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a pesky bugger. 

It is worry on steroids. You worry about money; you worry about every ache or pain and worry about things in the past and the future.

There is nothing that you don't worry about, in excess.

And the amount of worrying you are doing can impacting your life. 

Or keep you from doing things you want to do because of the fear of the unknown is going to happen.

In this short episode, the symptoms of GAD and what you can do about it.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control, a 12-page booklet that contains information about the condition from the National Institute of Mental Health.

From the ADAA.org site, a personal story, GAD Hard to Recognize by Meredith Arthur

The American Psychological Association has a podcast on mental health topics. Episode 173 Speaking of Psychology: What is anxiety and how can we treat it effectively? With Bunmi Olatunji, PhD

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

 

Show 258 - All or Nothing Thinking

This episode was inspired by my real life experiences. Of which I have a bunch of them. 

So, so many of them. One of the things that I've learned it to not to be dragged down into a spiral.

I still have negative thoughts but I don't have to hug and kiss up on them. 97.4% of the time, it is just a thought. It isn't a measurement of my worth. 

I am still in the remembering that thinking error are not me stage.

There are all kinds of thinking errors that can affect you mood or ways of your thinking existence. The overall name is Cognitive Distortion witch can involve about 15 different types of jacked up thinking. 

 

The one I want to talk about today is All of Nothing Thinking. Also known as black or white thinking.

No matter what you call it, it is thinking in extreme. Usually involves reinforcing that you have failed. That you aren't worthy or that once again, you did not perform with absolute perfection.

Which is probably not true. Or just a little bit true. Or it can be true in one situation but shouldn't define your entire reason for being.

In this episode, a look at resources that can help you deal with  on eof the cognitive disorders called All or Nothing Thinking.

Resources Mentioned: 

App That Attack:

University of California at San Diego (UCSD) playlist of meditation recordings.

Resources for All or Nothing Thinking:

Psychology Today post on How to Break the Painful Habit of  All or Nothing Thinking

Mental Health America has a worksheet on stopping stupid thoughts.

Tati Garcia has a podcast for high functioning anxiety folks. She is a licensed therapists and has an episode on All Or Nothing Thinking Is Ruining Your Life. 

Tati also has a free master class on her site Let Go Of Overthinking & Self-Doubt.

Disclaimer: 

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 197 Feeling Fractured and Finding Spackle

It is a mess. It is a time and wowzer, every day a pip. Trauma is waving the freak flag and there are people that are hurting. This includes you and me. What should have been and what's going to be are not something that can be predicted.

We have been changed. We are in a state of change and along with the bad stuff is the potential for some good stuff too. But first, we have to recognize that we are fractured and need some healing invisible Spackle to get ourselves in a better place.




If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

In an article for Prevention Magazine, Carson Daily talks about having general anxiety disorder and how he treats with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

From Zagat Stories, Chef Eric Ripert uses meditation as a tool to run his kitchen and bring calm to his life.

Leslie Sanson has a series of videos for walking at home. To get a sample of what that is like check out the YouTube channel. There is also Walk At Home Digital Access is a subscription service that provides training and motivation to have daily in-door walking exercises.

Mindful Magazine Digital Special Edition on Difficult Emotions. For those that want the pulp version you can get that too.

Also on Mindful is an additional resource: Four-Minute STOP Practice from Rhonda Magee, how to re-set a potentially testy situation.

At the Chopra Center is a post on seven affirmations for self healing.

Ananda Leeke has a blog post about We are resilient. She also has a podcast on Soundcloud.  She gives tips about how to reconnect with the power source inside of you.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 116 - The Not So Wonderful World of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

General Anxiety Disorder becomes a medical condition when the worrying last more than six months AND it impacts and limits your life. You stop going places. You shrug off invitations. You don’t make the change you spent hours thinking about and then nothing really happened or changed.

In this episode, a look at what is the condition, treatment options and the on-line resources you can use to bust up the worry machine.




Paint it life, if you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

There is a post on Mindful.org called A Meditation on Working with Anxiety, basically, how to use mindful techniques to try to find the sources of your anxiety. There is an audio recording you can listen to or you can read the transcript.

The Conversation on Act Tough and Hide Weakness, how young men see themselves as living up to society standards of manhood. Part of living up to those standards seem to be ignoring mental and emotional health issues.

ADAA,org  has a screening test if you suspect you might have GAD.

For information and treatment options there is the Generalized Anxiety Disorder page at Helpguide.org, this site is focused on behavioral health treatment and self-treatment options.

National Institute of Mental Health page on Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control; you can download a PDF pamphlet or ePub version for your Kindle or ePub reading device.

In addition to the other sources, Healthline talks about life style changes that might be necessary to treatment your condition. This could mean dialing back on the caffeine or other stimulants.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 095 Generalized Anxiety Disorder

In today's show a look at Generalized Anxiety Disorder and some of the on-line resources that can help you make decisions about your treatment options.




If life is looking grim and you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Michigan State University study on how writing cools brain on stressful tasks.

From Anxiety BC What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Massachusetts General Hospital web page on GAD with good questions to ask your provider at the bottom of the page.

Actor Wil Wheaton has generalized anxiety disorder and in a five minute video he talks about his experiences with GAD.

Therapist Kati Morton has an eight minute video on what GAD is and emphases the point about getting evaluated to know what you really have and appropriate treatment.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Episode 053 Excessive Startle Response

Everyone has a natural startle response. If there is an unexpected sound or event for most people there will be some kind of psychological reaction.




There are some people that have a strong or excessive level of response. In this episode, a look at some of the coping skills that can make the experience more tolerable.

Your can download the current episode on your smartphone, tablet or media device.

Resources Mentioned In the Podcast: 

• Elaine Aron's Highly Sensitive Person web site. 
• Kelly O'Laughlin's blog and podcast for sensitive people
• Introvert Dear's page on  12 Thing A Highly Sensitive Person Needs
• Mayo Clinic Nutrition Suggestions for General Anxiety Disorder folks.
• Lifehack.org Foods That Can Increase Your Brain Power.
• Kimberly Snyder 10 Ways to Combat Depression and Anxiety Through Your Diet
• Leslie Sansome 5 Minute Health Boosting Walk From 3 Mile Calorie Blast 

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

Episode 042 Generalized Anxiety Disorder and What's Up App

One of the most common anxiety disorder is on that get the short end of the stick when it comes to recognition. Nobody wants to admit that they may have an anxiety condition.

With Generalized Anxiety Disorder it is kinda hard to pin down exactly what it is or how it travels though your system.





There are commonalities, like excessive worrying and muscle tension. If you are curious or what to get an understanding this is an introductory for newbies and those that love them.

You can also download the current episode to listen to on your smartphone, tablet or media device.

 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America http://www.adaa.org
• Helpguide.org page on Anxiety Disorders http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-attacks-and-anxiety-disorders.htm
• National Institute for Mental Health Brochure on GAD http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml
• Harvard Health Blog on Managing Worry in GAD and Worry http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/managing-worry-in-generalized-anxiety-disorder-201602179172
• Coping with Stress and Anxiety via Harvard Publishing http://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports/coping-with-anxiety-and-stress-disorders
• University of Pennsylvania Penn Behavioral Health Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety page on GAD http://www.med.upenn.edu/ctsa/general_anxiety_symptoms.html
• What's Up App for Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jacksontempra.apps.whatsup
• What's Up App for iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/whats-up/id968251160?mt=8
  

Disclaimer:

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.