text only site TEMPLE.EDU
Temple University
ADULT ANXIETY CLINIC OF TEMPLE  
Home   |  About  |   Social Anxiety   |   Generalized Anxiety   |   Current Studies   |   Staff   |   Links |   Directions      
.

 

Adult Anxiety Clinic of
Temple University
Department of Psychology
419 Weiss Hall
1701 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
phobia@temple.edu
Phone: (215) 204-1575
Fax: (215) 204-5184

 

 

GENERALIZED ANXIETY

WHAT IS GENERALIZED ANXIETY?

Generalized anxiety is characterized by uncontrollable and excessive worry, tension, and anxiety. People with this problem may worry about a number of areas such as:

  • day-to-day responsibilities
  • health
  • finances
  • work
  • school
  • relationships
  • the well-being of loved ones

They often also experience a variety of symptoms related to their worry and anxiety such as:

  • feeling restless or keyed up
  • fatigue
  • irritability
  • problems sleeping
  • difficulty concentrating
  • muscle tension 

As people suffering with generalized anxiety know, feeling worried almost all of the time can decrease quality of life, have a negative impact upon interpersonal relationships, lead to feelings of depression, and/or result in a limited and unfulfilling lifestyle.

Generalized anxiety is a common problem, affecting approximately 5% of the population. Unfortunately, many people attribute their symptoms to their personality and do not realize that generalized anxiety is a treatable condition.

TREATMENT FOR GENERALIZED ANXIETY

Approaches that work
Two primary approaches have been proven effective in the treatment of generalzed anxiety disorder: (1) Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a treatment based firmly on research findings. A major focus of this treatment is to help individuals change the way they perceive situations and events in their lives and develop skills to better cope with anxiety.(2) Medication treatments have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder

Treatment at the Adult Anxiety Clinic of Temple
The Adult Anxiety Clinic of Temple University (AACT) is a treatment, research, and training clinic funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. The mission of the AACT is to study the nature and treatment of different types of anxiety and associated life problems. The Generalized Anxiety program is conducting research studies with the goal of improving upon traditional cognitive-behavioral approaches to treating this problem (for example, by integrating procedures that promote better tolerance and understanding of uncomfortable feelings).  Therapists in this Clinic provide support to clients and teach skills aimed at reducing worry and improving the quality of their clients' lives.

Checklist for Signs of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Does your worry cause you significant distress or interfere with your daily life, social activities, work, or other areas? If so, please take a moment to read the following statements. If you answer "yes" to some of these statements, you may benefit from treatment for generalized anxiety.

1. I feel overwhelmed by my worries. Y N
2. Other people tell me to stop worrying so much, but I just can’t help it. Y N
3. I always seem to find something to worry about. Y N
4. I worry because I am trying to get better control over my life. Y N
5. I am anxious and uncertain about the future. Y N
6. I worry that I will make mistakes or fail at the things I attempt. Y N
7. When I worry, I am bothered by symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue, headaches, sleep disturbance, or stomach problems. Y N
8. I feel tense most of the time and have difficulty relaxing. Y N
9. I have always tended to be a worrier. Y N
10. Once I start worrying, it is difficult for me to stop. Y N
11. Worries come to my mind when I am trying to focus on other things. Y N
© 2006 Temple University