A It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious from time to time, especially with everything that’s going on in the world right now. But for some people, anxiety is a chronic problem that interferes with everyday life. Generalized anxiety disorder is diagnosed when worry is challenging to control on more days than not for at least six months, and is accompanied by three or more of the following symptoms: restlessness or feeling on edge, being easily tired, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbances. The standard treatment is benzodiazepine drugs or antidepressants, which can come with serious side-effects such as dependency, sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or talking therapy, can be an effective alternative, but there are lots of other drug-free options to consider. Here’s a roundup of what works.
