Coping and support

To cope with generalized anxiety disorder, here's what you can do:

• Stick to your treatment plan. Take medications as directed. Keep therapy appointments. Practice the skills you learn in psychotherapy. Consistency can make a big difference, especially when it comes to taking your medication.
• Take action. Work with your mental health professional to figure out what's making you anxious and address it.
• Let it go. Don't dwell on past concerns. Change what you can in the present moment and let the rest take its course.
• Break the cycle. When you feel anxious, take a brisk walk or delve into a hobby to refocus your mind away from your worries.
• Socialize. Don't let worries isolate you from loved ones or enjoyable activities. Social interaction and caring relationships can lessen your worries.
• Join a support group for people with anxiety. Here, you can find compassion, understanding and shared experiences. You may find support groups in your community or on the internet, for example, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).