Treatment for GAD includes cognitive behavioral therapy, which is more effective than pharmacologic treatment, and related treatments.
Cognitive-behavioral orientated psychotherapy includes self-monitoring, relaxation techniques, self-control desensitization, cognitive restructuring, worry outcome monitoring, present-moment focus, problem-solving techniques, socialization, and emotional skills training.
These are a just a few references to types of psychotherapy treatments used to treat GAD. The therapy involves a therapist ushering the patient through a process of understanding his or her thoughts and feelings and how both influence behavior.
The goal of the therapy is to encourage the patient to change negative thought patterns. Additional treatments focus on ushering the patients through therapeutic goals, reducing anxiety, and decreasing ambivalence while encouraging self-efficacy.