About Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, is a disorder marked by an excessive, often irrational level of worry about everyday events to an extent that exceeds that justified by underlying causes. 

Physical symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder can include such things as fatigue, fidgeting, headaches, difficulty breathing, difficulty concentrating, trembling, twitching, irritability, agitation, sweating, restlessness, insomnia, hot flashes, rashes, nausea, numbness in hands and feet, muscle tension, muscle aches, and difficulty swallowing.  These symptoms can become debilitating, preventing normal life and function.  There is strong evidence that such high levels of anxiety have a genetic origin and may in fact be inheritable, although triggering and traumatic events may also be a causative factor.

The primary treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder involves therapy and/or medication.  Many authorities believe that cognitive behavioral therapy is superior to medication, due to the side effects of many of the more commonly prescribed drugs for anxiety.  Cognitive behavior therapy works to change negative thought patterns that produce anxiety, and replace them with positive, more realistic ways of thinking.  Therapy often will also include exposure strategies to allow the patient to gradually confront their anxieties and feel more comfortable in anxiety-provoking situations, as well as providing an opportunity to practice the skills they have learned.

Though the average age of diagnosis for Generalized Anxiety Disorder is 31, symptoms often appear in childhood or adolescence.  It is not uncommon for a teen to turn to drugs or alcohol to self medicate their symptoms of anxiety.  Because of adverse reaction to the commonly prescribed medications, including a heightened risk of suicidal thoughts or actions, it is especially important for parents to identify symptoms of overwhelming anxiety and seek help for teenagers with the disorder.

Not all therapeutic boarding schools and therapeutic residential programs for teenagers are alike! Treatments vary greatly. We can provide you with free information about the ones that would be perfect for your budget, designed to help your child with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

We’re a free placement assistance service. We talk to hundreds of parents daily, matching them up with therapeutic boarding schools that can best help their teenager. We visit these therapeutic programs and we know the people there. We also get regular reports from parents who have enrolled their child in these programs, so we are in a unique position to provide you with that feedback.

There is never a fee for our complimentary service and our help does not affect any therapeutic program’s tuition. Just fill in the inquiry form on this site or call (888) 940-6278 (we answer calls 24/7) and we’ll provide the best possible options for your child, including everything you need to know about the various therapeutic residential programs and their costs.