Generalised anxiety disorder treatment

The NHS follows stepped care, so you are offered the simplest effective treatment first.

Step 1: information and self-help

Learning about anxiety, and trying self-help, can make a difference. Many people start with guided self-help: a CBT-based book or online course with support from a practitioner. There are also psychoeducational groups, where you learn about anxiety with others.

Step 2: talking therapy

If self-help is not enough, NICE recommends:

• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), usually 12 to 15 weekly sessions, to help you understand and change patterns that keep anxiety going
• applied relaxation, which teaches you to relax your muscles in situations that make you anxious

In England, you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies.

Medicines

You may be offered medicine instead of, or as well as, therapy.

• Sertraline, an SSRI antidepressant, is usually tried first.
• If it does not help or is not suitable, other options include other SSRIs, SNRIs such as duloxetine or venlafaxine, or pregabalin.
• It can take a few weeks to feel the benefit, and anxiety can briefly get worse at first. Keep in touch with your GP.
• Do not stop suddenly. Reduce slowly with your GP's help.

Specialist help

If your anxiety is severe or has not improved, your GP can refer you to a community mental health team for more specialist treatment.

Next, read about living well with GAD.