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Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Private treatment, therapy and support in London for anxiety at Schoen Clinic Chelsea

If you frequently have feelings of nervousness, worry, apprehension or stress surrounding everyday tasks and events you may be experiencing a generalised form of anxiety, known as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

The disorder is thought to affect 5% of the population. And we're here to help.

a man looking very anxious in a therapy session with a psychotherapist counsellor

What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?


Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is the experience of regular, seemingly uncontrollable worries about numerous things in life rather than about a specific trigger. Anxiety can result in differing symptoms between people, but individuals with GAD typically feel anxious and distressed most days and find it difficult to relax.


Generalised Anxiety Disorder encompasses both physical and psychological symptoms. The severity and number of symptoms experienced vary between people.


Whilst there is no one definitive cause, the following factors have been found to increase the likelihood of developing Generalised Anxiety Disorder:

  • Genetic vulnerability: sometimes illustrated through a family history of GAD, or other mental health disorders

  • Increased activity in brain areas concerned with emotions and behaviour

  • An imbalance of brain chemicals (serotonin and noradrenaline) that are involved in mood regulation

  • Experience of trauma, including abuse and bullying

  • History of chronic physical illness or pain condition

  • A history of drug (including tobacco) or alcohol misuse

  • Excessive caffeine consumption

  • Stressful or significant life event


At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, our specialists have extensive experience treating anxiety and offer patients specialist one-to-one anxiety counselling. Our private outpatient clinic in London also offers access to highly specialised anxiety therapy with a range of specialists, often in as little as 24 hours.


If you're looking for anxiety support in London, you've come to the right place.


What are the physical and psychological symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder?


If you suffer from anxiety, you could regularly feel anxious, tense, or terrified in everyday situations. These emotions can be distressing and hard to control. They may also make ordinary tasks difficult.


Physical symptoms might also result from anxiety. Consider a period when you had anxiety. Perhaps your knees were shaking or your hands were perspiring. Your heartbeat may have accelerated. You could have experienced nausea.

Physical symptoms of anxiety

Psychological symptoms of anxiety

Dizziness

  • Tiredness or fatigue

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Heart palpitations: a noticeably strong, fast or irregular heartbeat

  • Muscle aches and tension

  • Trembling or shaking

  • Dry mouth

  • Sweating

  • Shortness of breath

  • Stomachache

  • Nausea or irritable bowel

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Pins and needles

  • Difficulty with sleep

Persistent worry

  • Feeling restless, unable to relax

  • Nervousness

  • Overthinking

  • Perfectionistic traits

  • Lack of confidence

  • Negative thinking (i.e. worst-case scenarios)

  • Difficulty handling change or uncertainty

  • Difficulty making decisions

  • Decreased energy

  • A sense of dread

  • A feeling of constantly being ‘on edge’

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Irritability

  • Low self-esteem

Most people occasionally suffer from anxiety. If anxiety lasts for a long time, causes major suffering, or affects your life in other ways, it may become serious or develop into a disorder.


To prevent experiencing anxiety and dread, your symptoms may lead you to cut off social interaction (such as visiting your family and friends).


Additionally, you could find coming to work challenging and stressful, and you might need to take time off sick. Your self-doubt and anxiety about yourself may grow as a result of these behaviours. With our mental health specialists in London here to support you, recovering from your anxiety disorder could be just around the corner.

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If you're looking for specialised anxiety support, please reach out to our caring team in London today. We have appointments available in as little as 24 hours so you can begin treatment with minimal wait.


To access private treatment as swiftly as possible, simply fill out our online pre-screening questionnaire at any time to suit you.

When to get a medical diagnosis for Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)


GAD can have a profound impact on an individual's quality of life, making it difficult to perform even routine tasks, leading to insomnia, irritability, and physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, and even gastrointestinal problems.


The first step in seeking a diagnosis of GAD is to recognise the symptoms. While everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, people with GAD experience it on most days for at least six months. Symptoms may include difficulty concentrating, restlessness, irritability, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and a feeling of being on edge.


At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, our anxiety specialists approach GAD diagnosis based on a combination of medical history, physical examination, and psychological evaluation. Our team of experts includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists who work collaboratively to assess the symptoms and develop an individualised treatment plan, which will often involve anxiety counselling.


Our approach to diagnosis considers the individual's physical, psychological, and social functioning. We also take into account any family history of anxiety disorders, substance abuse, or other mental health conditions. We use specialised diagnostic tools, such as questionnaires and interviews, to gather as much information as possible to guide the diagnostic process.


It is important to seek a medical diagnosis for GAD when symptoms interfere with daily life, relationships, work, and other activities. At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, we encourage individuals to seek help when they experience any of the following symptoms:


  • Excessive anxiety and worry for at least six months

  • Difficulty controlling the worry

  • Feeling restless

  • Easily fatigued

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Irritability

  • Muscle tension

  • Sleep disturbance

  • Gastrointestinal problems.


Many people may not seek help for their anxiety, believing that it's normal or that they can cope with it on their own. However, untreated anxiety can lead to serious consequences, such as depression, substance abuse, or even suicidal thoughts and actions.


We provide specialised Generalised Anxiety Disorder treatment and therapy at our private outpatient clinic in London


Anxiety is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and Londoners are no exception. At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, we believe everyone deserves access to high-quality, evidence-based care, and we are committed to providing a range of therapies to help our patients manage their anxiety and thrive.


Our team of anxiety specialists in London draws on various techniques and approaches, tailored to each patient's unique needs and preferences. From psychoeducation to art therapy or CBT to mindfulness, we have something for everyone.


Our anxiety therapists help teach you relaxation techniques, and mindfulness helps you regulate symptoms of GAD and teach your body to change from a state of unease and tension to one of peacefulness and improved wellbeing. Psychological interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) support you to reduce negative thoughts and assist in gaining a more proportionate perspective on the things that you worry about.


Some of our therapies for treating anxiety in London:


We provide the following therapies and interventions. These may be delivered on a 1:1 or group basis by members of the multidisciplinary team.

  • Psychoeducation

  • Relapse prevention

  • Peer-led support

  • Applied relaxation

  • Social issues

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Self-esteem/Building resilience

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

  • Art/Drama

  • Family therapy

  • Mindfulness

  • Movement

  • Food preparation/cooking

  • Interpersonal therapy

  • Schema


At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, we believe successful recovery from anxiety is possible with the right care and support. Our expert team of therapists, psychologists, and other specialists work together to provide a comprehensive range of therapies, tailored to each patient's unique needs and goals.


At our private outpatient clinic in Chelsea, West London, we offer one-to-one counselling for anxiety with our specialists to help individuals return to a better quality of life. We're also pleased to offer a variety of anxiety therapies with our anxiety therapists, often available in as little as 24 hours.


Is a full recovery from General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) generally possible?

Naturally, those who suffer from GAD want to know if a full recovery is possible. The short answer is yes, it is possible to recover from GAD fully. However, the process of recovery can be challenging and requires effort on the part of the individual, as well as support from our team of anxiety specialists in London.


In addition to the various types of therapy for anxiety we offer at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, medication can also be a helpful tool for managing GAD symptoms. Antidepressant medications may often be prescribed to treat GAD. These medications are effective in reducing anxiety and can be used in conjunction with therapy to promote long-term recovery.


While recovery from GAD is possible, it's essential to remember that everyone's recovery journey is unique. It's crucial to work collaboratively with our team of anxiety therapists who can provide a personalised treatment plan that addresses your individual needs.


It's also important to remember that recovery is not a linear process and that setbacks might occur along the way. But with the right support and tools, individuals can achieve a full recovery and live a fulfilling life free from excessive anxiety and worry.

Why choose Schoen Clinic Chelsea for your private anxiety treatment?


For those suffering from a broad anxiety condition, Schoen Clinic Chelsea offers cutting-edge amenities and specialised care.


Our facilities are set up to make anxiety therapy as easy and convenient as possible because we recognise that it is a highly personal process. For individuals who require anxiety counselling or therapy, we provide a selection of treatment rooms designed to offer a quiet and therapeutic setting.


Our day rooms are designed to provide patients with a tranquil and secure environment where they can participate in therapeutic activities. Additionally, we have an art room with supplies for artistic expression, tools, paints, and materials just for patients who want to take part in our creative arts groups for anxiety therapy.


Schoen Clinic Chelsea is one of the leading mental health clinics in London. Part of an international hospital group treating 300,000 patients each year, we've been helping people to recover from mental health problems like anxiety for over 37 years.


Our leading London anxiety therapists work with you to identify how anxiety affects you so that we can find the best generalised anxiety disorder treatment options for you. Whether that's in a group or on a one-to-one anxiety counselling basis, we have award-winning specialists on hand to help.

Our anxiety specialised in London are available to help you


At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, our multidisciplinary team of specialists is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for individuals grappling with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).


Our team comprises psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and other mental health professionals who collaborate to offer personalised treatment plans tailored to each individual's unique needs. With expertise in various therapeutic modalities and a holistic approach to mental wellbeing, we are committed to guiding our patients towards lasting relief and improved quality of life.

Dr James Woolley

Consultant Psychiatrist | ADHD Specialist

Dr James Woolley

Dr Hollie Shannon

Senior Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Dr Hollie Shannon

Dr Divina Pillay

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Divina Pillay

Dr Gil Myers

Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr Gil Myers

Dr Tara Tofiq

Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist

Dr Tara Tofiq

Pilar Isla Rodriguez

Psychotherapist

Pilar Isla Rodriguez

Isabelle Nussbaum

Integrative Counsellor & Psychotherapist

Isabelle Nussbaum

Dr Edel McAndrew

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Edel McAndrew

Dr Margherita Tanzarella

Consultant Psychiatrist | ADHD Specialist

Dr Margherita Tanzarella

Dr Sumi Ratnam

Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist

Dr Sumi Ratnam

Evangelia Mylona

Psychotherapist

Evangelia Mylona

Dr Daniel Masud

Consultant General & Addictions Psychiatrist | ADHD Specialist

Dr Daniel Masud
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