What GAD looks like
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is excessive, hard-to-control worry across many areas of life — work, health, family, finances — lasting six months or more, accompanied by restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, irritability, poor concentration and disturbed sleep.
What helps
First-line treatment in NICE and APA guidance is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). SSRIs and SNRIs are the most evidence-supported medications. Regular exercise, reduced caffeine and alcohol, paced breathing and structured sleep all have additive effects.
Self-help that complements care
Worry postponement (scheduling a fixed worry window), behavioural experiments to test feared predictions, and applied relaxation are well-evidenced self-help components. They are not a substitute for assessment when symptoms are severe or persistent.