Understanding Generalized Anxiety And Worry

An accessible and informative guide to understanding generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), written specifically for clients.

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A psychoeducational guide. Typically containing elements of skills development.

Overview

Our ‘Understanding…’ series is a collection of psychoeducation guides for common mental health conditions. Friendly and explanatory, they are comprehensive sources of information for your clients. Concepts are explained in an easily digestible way, with plenty of case examples and accessible diagrams. Understanding Generalized Anxiety And Worry is designed to help clients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) to understand more about their condition.

Why Use This Resource?

This guide aims to help clients learn more about generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It explains what GAD is, what the common symptoms are, and effective ways to address it, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Identify symptoms of GAD and the factors that contribute to it.
Understand what keeps GAD going.
Explore effective treatments for GAD.
Gain insights into how people experience GAD and how they overcome it.

Key Benefits

Comprehensive

Explores what generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is and what maintains it.

Relatable

Contains detailed examples and relatable case studies.

Supportive

Written in a friendly and accessible manner.

Hopeful

Outlines effective treatment options.

Who is this for?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Designed to help clients understand and learn more about GAD.

Worry

Helps clients explore their experiences with worry.

Integrating it into your practice

Assess

Identify clients who may be experiencing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Provide the guide to clients who could benefit from it.

Educate

Use the content to inform clients about GAD and help normalize their experiences.

Reflect

Discuss the client’s personal experience with GAD.

Intervene

Plan treatment with the client or direct them to other sources of help and support.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Occasional worry is a normal part of life, but when worry becomes excessive, persistent, and difficult to control, it can become exhausting and negatively impact individuals' physical and mental health. This pattern of chronic worry is referred to as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Epidemiological data suggest that between 2% and 6% of the population experience GAD in any given year.

Effective psychological treatments are available for GAD, with cognitive behavioral approaches showing strong evidence of benefit. The Understanding Generalized Anxiety and Worry guide is intended to support clients in developing a clearer understanding of GAD. In addition to outlining common symptoms and evidence-based treatments, the guide highlights key psychological processes that contribute to the maintenance of GAD, including intolerance of uncertainty, beliefs about worry, and a tendency to approach problems with a negative mindset.

What's inside

Introduction to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Guidance for introducing and using the resource with clients.
Key references for learning more about GAD.

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FAQs

GAD is characterized by chronic, excessive worry. It can affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.

Important maintenance factors often include intolerance of uncertainty, positive beliefs about worry, and cognitive avoidance.

CBT is an effective therapy that focuses on addressing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that maintain GAD.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By using this resource in their clinical practice, therapists can:

Identify individuals who may be experiencing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Help clients better understand their difficulties and what maintains them.
Explore treatment options.
Encourage hope and optimism about change.

References And Further Reading

Stansfeld, S., Clark, C., Bebbington, P., King, M., Jenkins, R., & Hinchliffe, S. (2016). Chapter 2: Common mental disorders. In S. McManus, P. Bebbington, R. Jenkins, & T. Brugha (Eds.), Mental health and wellbeing in England: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014. Leeds: NHS Digital.
Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 617–627.
Borkovec, T. D., Robinson, E., Pruzinsky, T., & DePree, J. A. (1983). Preliminary exploration of worry: Some characteristics and processes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 21(1), 9–16.
Borkovec, T. D. (2002). Life in the future versus life in the present. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 9(1), 76–80.
Sibrava, N. J., & Borkovec, T. D. (2006). The cognitive avoidance theory of worry. Worry and its psychological disorders: Theory, assessment and treatment (pp.239–256). Wiley Publishing.
Freeston, M. H., Rhéaume, J., Letarte, H., Dugas, M. J., & Ladouceur, R. (1994). Why do people worry?. Personality and Individual Differences, 17(6), 791-802.
Gosselin, P., Langlois, F., Freeston, M. H., Ladouceur, R., Laberge, M., & Lemay, D. (2007). Cognitive variables related to worry among adolescents: Avoidance strategies and faulty beliefs about worry. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 45(2), 225-233.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE: 2011). Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management. Retrieved from NICE Guidance (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg113/resources/generalised-anxiety-disorder-and-panic-disorder-in-adults-management-pdf-35109387756997)

A Guide To Emotions

Understanding Generalized Anxiety And Worry

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Guide (PDF)

Overview

Why Use This Resource?