Hello, I am a Santa Rosa mental health provider, Dr. Eric Ryan—I help people learn to overcome their worry, stress, generalized anxiety, and related fears! In this sense I am a fear doctor offering effective psychologically based therapy or counseling for severe worry and related stress reactions. I would like to talk to you about your generalized anxiety and severe stress to help you understand more about these concerns and how you can get help.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by intense, chronic worry that is hard to control. This worry is distressing and experienced for at least 6 months. Due to the worry several symptoms of autonomic arousal may be present due to increased adrenal outputs (increased heart rate, sweating, feeling revved up with nervous tension, etc.) and can result in muscle tension, insomnia, poor concentration and even depressed mood.

The focus of the worry is on just about anything. The worry is often described as free floating and can attach to anything going on in ones life, such as concerns at home, at work, with family, etc.

Despite the fact that the worry is excessive the sufferer cannot easily turn it off.

Many people who describe themselves as “worry warts” have GAD.

As many as 15 million Americans may experience GAD in their lifetime.

Click here to find out if you have an anxiety problem.