Condition
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Treatment in Texas
GAD is persistent, excessive worry across many areas of life — work, health, family, money — that’s hard to control and comes with restlessness, muscle tension, irritability, and poor sleep. It’s one of the most common and most treatable anxiety disorders. CBT plus SSRIs/SNRIs (and non-addictive options like buspirone) help most people feel meaningfully better.
Clinically reviewed by the Lyte Psychiatry Clinical Team · Last reviewed June 2026
What is GAD?
Generalized anxiety disorder is a pattern of excessive worry that’s difficult to controland shows up more days than not for months. Unlike worry tied to a single problem, GAD spreads across many parts of life and is paired with physical “keyed-up” symptoms. It’s a real medical condition, not simply being a “worrier.”
Symptoms
- Excessive, hard-to-control worry about many things
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Being easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
How it’s treated
GAD responds well to treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the gold-standard psychotherapy, teaching practical ways to respond to worry. On the medication side, SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line, chosen for their effectiveness and relatively low side-effect risk. Non-addictive options like buspirone and hydroxyzine are also used, and other medicines fit specific situations. Many people do best combining therapy and medication, adjusted with follow-up.
Medications
Medications used for GAD
These are some of the medications a prescriber may consider. Each guide explains what it treats, how it works, and side effects. Whether any medication is right for you is always decided with your prescriber.
Frequently asked questions
What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
GAD is persistent, excessive worry about many areas of life — work, health, family, money — that is hard to control and lasts for months. It comes with physical symptoms of being keyed up, such as restlessness, muscle tension, irritability, trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.
How is GAD different from everyday stress?
Everyday stress comes and goes with specific situations. GAD is more constant and out of proportion to what's happening, hard to switch off, and it interferes with daily life over a long period. If worry is running most days and wearing you down, it's worth an evaluation.
What are the symptoms of GAD?
Symptoms include excessive, hard-to-control worry plus restlessness or feeling on edge, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep problems. The worry is present more days than not and spans multiple parts of life.
How is GAD treated?
GAD is very treatable. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the gold-standard psychotherapy. SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line medications; buspirone and hydroxyzine are non-addictive options, and other medicines are used in specific situations. Many people do best with a combination, tailored by a prescriber.
What is the best first-line medication for GAD?
SSRIs and SNRIs are the recommended first-line medications for GAD, valued for their effectiveness and relatively low risk of side effects. The right choice depends on your symptoms, history, and other medications, and is decided with your prescriber.
Related pages
This page is for general education and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your own clinician. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and for a medical emergency call 911.
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