Living with constant worry is exhausting. When anxiety becomes your daily baseline: no specific trigger, no clear cause, just a persistent hum of unease, you may be dealing with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). At Shanti Recovery and Wellness, we understand how overwhelming GAD can feel. And more importantly, we know how to help. Our approach to generalized anxiety disorder treatment in Portland is rooted in compassion, not punishment. We don’t believe anxiety is something to be fixed. We believe it’s something to understand, manage, and heal through connection, empathy, and evidence-based care. With a dedicated team of providers and access to innovative treatments, Shanti is here to walk with you on the path to lasting relief.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is more than feeling anxious before a big event or during stressful moments. People with GAD live with a near-constant state of worry, often about everyday things such as work, health, or relationships. These worries tend to be excessive and difficult to control, even when there’s no clear reason to be alarmed.
GAD can affect people of all ages, and often coexists with other conditions like depression, substance use, or trauma histories. That’s why it’s crucial to address GAD holistically, looking not just at the symptoms, but at the individual as a whole.
Common symptoms of GAD include:
- Persistent worry or anxiety that’s difficult to manage
- Feeling on edge or restless
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muscle tension or physical discomfort
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Fatigue
- Irritability
At Shanti, we don’t reduce people to checklists. We listen to your experience, and we work with you to find what truly helps.
Why Treating GAD Matters
Unchecked anxiety can quietly erode your quality of life. Over time, GAD can lead to avoidance of activities, strained relationships, difficulty at work or school, and even physical health issues. But here’s the good news: GAD is treatable.
With the right support, people with GAD can reduce symptoms, rebuild confidence, and live more freely. At Shanti, our generalized anxiety disorder treatment in Portland focuses on giving you tools and treatments that work, without judgment or shame.
What Causes GAD?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder doesn’t have a single root cause. Often, it’s a mix of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Some people may have a family history of anxiety. Others might develop GAD following trauma or prolonged stress.
Biological imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine may also play a role, which is where certain treatments, including TMS, can help shift those patterns and provide relief.
How TMS Supports GAD Treatment
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood and anxiety regulation.
At Shanti, we offer TMS as a powerful tool for people whose anxiety hasn’t improved with talk therapy or medication alone. Unlike medications, TMS has minimal side effects and doesn’t require systemic absorption, making it a great option for those sensitive to pharmaceuticals.
How It Works
While TMS is best known for treating depression, research shows growing promise in using TMS to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders, including GAD. By targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain involved in worry and overthinking, TMS helps calm the neural circuits that contribute to persistent anxiety.
Our Other Services for GAD
Your healing journey is unique, and at Shanti, we offer several paths forward:
Adult Psychiatry
Our adult psychiatric providers take a thoughtful, collaborative approach to medication management. If medication is part of your care, we’ll talk you through options, answer your questions, and check in often to see how you’re doing, not just how the meds are working.
Adolescent Psychiatry
Teens and young adults can also struggle with GAD, and early intervention makes a big difference. We provide a welcoming, age-appropriate environment for younger clients to explore their anxiety and build healthy coping tools.
What to Expect When You Begin Treatment
Reaching out is often the hardest step. Once you do, here’s what your first few weeks with us might look like:
- Initial intake: We’ll get to know you: your history, symptoms, concerns, and goals. This first session is all about listening.
- Collaborative care plan: Together, we’ll decide on the best mix of medication or TMS to meet your needs. You’ll never be pushed into a treatment you’re not comfortable with.
- Ongoing support: As treatment continues, we stay connected. Whether it’s weekly therapy, regular check-ins with your provider, or tracking your progress with TMS, we’re with you every step of the way.
Who Can Benefit from GAD Treatment?
If you’re living with GAD, you might feel like worry is just your personality. But anxiety isn’t who you are, it’s something you’re experiencing. Our generalized anxiety disorder treatment in Portland can help you:
- Feel calmer in your day-to-day life
- Sleep more soundly
- Think more clearly
- Reconnect with the people and activities you enjoy
Whether your anxiety has been present for years or you’re just starting to notice it becoming a problem, our GAD treatment in Portland can meet you wherever you are.
Our Empathetic Approach to GAD Treatment
We’ve created a place where healing feels human. No cold offices. No rushed appointments. Just real conversations with providers who care.
Our model is built around three key ideas:
Empathy Over Judgment
We meet you where you are, not where others think you should be. Anxiety isn’t a moral failing, and recovery doesn’t come from willpower alone. At Shanti, we foster a space where your experience is heard and honored.
Team-Based Support
You’re not in this alone. Our team of psychiatrists, therapists, and care coordinators works together to support you on every level—mental, emotional, and physical.
Personalized Care Plans
No two experiences of GAD are the same. That’s why your treatment at Shanti is never one-size-fits-all. Whether you benefit from therapy, medication, TMS, or a combination, we’ll collaborate with you to build a care plan that truly fits.
Simple Ways to Reduce the Risk of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
While some factors contributing to GAD, such as genetics or early life experiences, are out of our control, there are still everyday habits and choices that can help protect your mental health and reduce the chances of developing or worsening anxiety.
Here are a few grounded, realistic ways to support your emotional well-being and keep anxiety from becoming overwhelming:
- Get consistent, quality sleep
- Eat balanced, nourishing meals
- Engage in regular physical activity
- Limit caffeine and sugar intake
- Take breaks from screens and social media
- Stay socially connected
- Set healthy boundaries in relationships and work
- Practice mindfulness or meditation
- Limit exposure to constant news and negativity
- Recognize and respond to early signs of stress
Connect with Us for Compassionate Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Portland
You don’t have to live in the grip of constant worry. If you’re ready to explore generalized anxiety disorder treatment in Portland, we are here for you. Whether you’re looking for medication or innovative approaches like TMS, our team will help you find what works.
Healing from GAD isn’t about eliminating fear, it’s about learning how to live with it, without letting it control you. Reach out today and let’s start your GAD treatment in Portland.
