Do you feel like your mind never stops worrying? With Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), thoughts spiral about work, family, health, and everyday situations. Even when things are going well, there’s often a “what if” in the back of your mind. This constant worry can leave you exhausted, tense, and unable to relax. It’s normal to feel worried from time to time, but with GAD, that feeling can become persistent and overwhelming.

You’re not alone. Many people live with GAD, and many suffer from persistent anxiety, excessive tension, and physical symptoms that impact daily life. But with the right therapy, you can reduce the cycle of worry and regain calm. As a fully qualified specialist Glasgow therapist, I provide structured, evidence-based therapy for GAD.

Perhaps you see yourself in these experiences: Your mind never rests. From the moment you wake up, it’s spinning through worst-case scenarios. Money, health, relationships, work - everything feels like a potential catastrophe waiting to happen. People living with GAD often worry about their home, work, finances, family, health, and the future. Even when things are okay, you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop.

You lie awake rehearsing conversations that might never happen

Good news feels suspicious - what’s the catch?

You’ve planned for disasters that friends call “ridiculously unlikely”

Relaxing feels impossible - or irresponsible. You can’t remember the last time you truly felt relaxed.

Your body’s constantly tense, jaw clenched, shoulders tight

You’re exhausted but “wired” at the same time

People say you overthink, but you can’t help it

You know your worry is excessive, but knowing doesn’t stop it. The fear that something bad will happen is always present, shaping your thoughts and emotions. While others seem carefree, you’re carrying the weight of infinite “what-ifs.” You’re tired of being told to “just relax” by people who don’t understand that your brain doesn’t have an off switch.

Understanding Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic mental health disorder that is more than normal stress. It often shows up as:

Persistent, uncontrollable worry about everyday life. While normal worry is a perfectly normal and temporary response to stressful situations, GAD involves excessive, uncontrollable, and persistent worry that significantly impairs daily life and physical health.

Feeling tense, restless, or “on edge” most of the time. People with GAD feel anxious in a way that is persistent and pervasive, affecting both their mental and physical well-being.

Difficulty concentrating or switching off thoughts

Trouble sleeping due to worry

Physical symptoms like muscle tension, headaches, or stomach upset. An increased heart rate is also a common symptom, reflecting the body's response to anxiety.

It is perfectly normal to feel anxious or worried in stressful situations, but GAD is different because the anxiety is chronic and impacts daily functioning.

Left untreated, GAD can affect your work, health, and relationships. GAD can lead to significant somatic complaints, lost productivity at work, and impaired social relationships. It is estimated to affect up to 5% of the UK population, with slightly more women affected than men.

GAD can also lead to other types of anxiety, such as social anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and post traumatic stress disorder (an anxiety disorder that develops after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, with symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares). GAD often co-occurs with other mental health problems and related issues, including low self-esteem and perfectionism, making it important to address these interconnected challenges.

Specialist counselling in Glasgow, alongside structured therapy, provides strategies to manage worry and restore balance.

Symptoms and Effects of GAD

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is more than just feeling worried from time to time—it’s a persistent, overwhelming anxiety that can affect every aspect of your daily life. People with GAD often find themselves worrying excessively about everyday things, even when there’s no apparent reason to feel anxious. This constant state of worry can lead to a range of both physical and psychological symptoms that can be difficult to manage without support.

Physical symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder can include heart palpitations, a racing heart, sweating, trembling, headaches, and feeling sick. Many people with GAD also experience muscle tension, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. These physical symptoms can be distressing and may sometimes be mistaken for other health problems, making it even harder to feel relaxed or at ease.

Psychological symptoms are just as challenging. You might notice that you feel anxious or fearful much of the time, struggle to control your anxious thoughts, or find it difficult to concentrate and make decisions. For some, one anxious thought can quickly spiral into many, making it hard to focus on anything else. This ongoing anxiety can lead to low self-esteem, depression, and a sense of hopelessness, especially if you feel like you can’t cope with the demands of daily life.

GAD doesn’t discriminate—it can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. Sometimes, symptoms are triggered by a specific event, such as a job interview or a medical test, but often, the anxiety seems to occur without any clear reason. In severe cases, GAD can lead to other anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks, social anxiety disorder, or obsessive compulsive disorder, further impacting your mental health and wellbeing.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to remember that help is available. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other psychological therapies have been shown to be highly effective in treating generalised anxiety disorder. A GP referral can connect you with these treatments, and self-help resources—like online courses and support groups—can also provide valuable support and understanding. Other therapeutic approaches, such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques, can help you manage anxiety symptoms and improve your overall mental health.

You don’t have to face GAD alone. With the right treatment and support, it’s possible to reduce anxiety symptoms, regain control, and improve your quality of life. If you’re struggling with generalised anxiety, reach out to a mental health professional or a service like Glasgow Anxiety for further information and guidance tailored to your needs.

Why Choose Therapy for GAD?

Generalised anxiety responds well to structured anxiety therapy. GAD therapy in Glasgow focuses on:

Identifying patterns of unhelpful thinking

Challenging “what if” and worst-case scenario thoughts

Reducing physical symptoms of anxiety

Building confidence in handling uncertainty

Developing healthier coping strategies

Therapy provides a safe space where you can openly discuss your concerns without judgment, fostering trust and comfort throughout your sessions.

Working with a trained Glasgow therapist means you’ll receive personalised guidance and tools for lasting change. Therapy also equips you with strategies to manage anxiety independently in the future, helping you plan for your long-term well-being.

Treatment options for Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in Glasgow generally follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 'stepped-care' guidelines. The primary route to access treatment via the NHS is usually through your General Practitioner (GP) or by self-referral to an NHS talking therapies service. Your GP is a good place to start for treatment options for GAD.

Other key points about GAD treatment in Glasgow include:

• NHS 24 provides urgent mental health advice and support 24 hours a day at 111.

• NHS Scotland offers free access to digital therapy platforms like SilverCloud and Daylight for anxiety management.

• Private clinics in Glasgow primarily offer evidence-based treatments such as CBT and other psychotherapies.

• For low-intensity psychological interventions in Step 2 of treatment, individual non-facilitated self-help and individual guided self-help based on CBT principles may be offered.

• Session costs for private therapy in Glasgow typically range from £60 to £130, depending on the practitioner's qualifications and therapy type.

• Talking treatments are a type of psychological therapy that can help manage GAD symptoms.

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective talking treatments for GAD.

• Medication may be offered by your GP if talking therapy approaches do not work for GAD, but it is important to discuss potential side effects and suitability with a healthcare professional.

• Living Life is an NHS Education for Scotland service providing guided self-help and cognitive therapy for mild to moderate depression, anxiety, or stress.

• Exercise is effective in reducing and overcoming anxiety.

• Breathing techniques can help reduce anxiety symptoms.

• Limiting caffeine intake can help relieve some symptoms of anxiety.

• Taking time off work can provide short-term relief from anxiety but may worsen feelings in the long term.