Home / Anxiety Treatment in Colorado Springs / Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Colorado Springs, CO

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Colorado Springs, CO

Worry that runs from the alarm clock to bedtime wears you down, and it wears on the people around you. Asking whether it is more than a stressful stretch is a fair question to bring to us. Drift Behavioral Health provides generalized anxiety disorder treatment in Colorado Springs for adults, in person and by video. We start by learning what your weeks look like, and family members are welcome to take part. Generalized anxiety disorder is treatable, and the first step is a conversation.

(719) 319-4999 Verify Insurance

What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is persistent worry that pops up in many areas of life. Job responsibilities, finances, health, loved ones, and simple chores can all feed it. You may be diagnosed with GAD when it occurs more days than not for at least six months. Restlessness, muscle tension, sleeplessness, and difficulty concentrating are a few of the symptoms that often accompany it.

Normal stress has a cause and a timeline. The deadline passes. The bill gets paid. You stop worrying, and your shoulders unwind. GAD isn't so predictable. As soon as one worry is quelled, another bumps to the front of the line.

GAD is one of several anxiety conditions. Panic disorder brings sudden surges of fear, and social anxiety is tied to being judged. GAD has no single trigger, which is why the worry can attach to almost any topic. The types of anxiety disorders explain how each one differs in triggers and duration.

SAMHSA's 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 7.4% of U.S. adults, about 19.4 million, had moderate or severe GAD symptoms in the past two weeks. The rate was highest at 14.5% among adults ages 18 to 25, and it fell to 3.9% after age 50. Women reported higher rates than men, at 8.5% versus 6.2%. The survey used a screening questionnaire, so the figures describe symptoms and do not count diagnoses.

How Does GAD Affect Sleep, Work, and Relationships?

Sleep goes first. You hit the pillow at 11 p.m. and mentally start ticking off tomorrow’s to-do list. You wake up at 3 a.m. with your brain buzzing, and you can’t fall back asleep for ages. Wiped-out days mean you have less patience when the worrying cycle starts up again. Anxiety taxes your body with muscle tension, headaches, and stomach problems. That physical burden only amplifies your exhaustion.

At the office, GAD manifests as over-preparation. You read that email back four times before hitting send, then you second-guess whether you sounded too aggressive. Meetings feel scary because you feel like you need a contingency plan for every answer you give. Deadlines your coworkers laugh off keep you up at night. Over the course of a year or two, taking on additional responsibility can feel like inviting additional risk. Promotions become unappealing.

Around the house, your anxiety can bleed over to your loved ones. Your partner may feel like they have to provide daily reassurance. You may check in on your kids every fifteen minutes or call off plans because “something might come up.” Friends might take your pullback as disinterest. Family members may learn to walk on eggshells.

Real Stories, Real Recovery

Hear From Those Who've Walked This Path

Real Google reviews from clients who started where you are now, in their own words.

Keely Young

Drift Behavioral has been a huge support in my journey with substance abuse and mental health. The staff made me feel understood and never judged, which helped me open up and stay committed to recovery. They gave me practical tools and coping strategies that I still use, and I always felt supported through both individual and group sessions. Their care and guidance truly made a difference in my life, and I’m very grateful for their help.

Mark Donahue

If you’re looking for an outpatient program in Colorado that balances accountability with empathy, I would definitely recommend this center.

Angela Digesualdo

They've been extremely helpful with getting me back on track

Mike Dematteo

Great staff and facility! Very accommodating and caring when it comes to treatment. They do a great job with both mental health and substance abuse. Personally have had good experiences as well as I know others who have also!

Jim Santilli

I've been to a number of places for recovery, but Drift has been the most effective for me. The therapists are very knowledgeable and the material is taught in a way that feels fresh and can easily be applied.

Kj P

Great and genuine people! Helped me have another chance at life and will forever be thankful for them

(719) 319-4999

When Should You Seek Treatment for GAD?

Several signs point toward getting help sooner. Doctor visits for headaches, stomach trouble, or a racing heart keep ending with no clear medical cause. You have started leaning on alcohol or sleep aids to get through the evening. Reading the news or choosing a restaurant now takes real effort. If you are searching for generalized anxiety disorder treatment in Colorado Springs, any one of these is reason enough to call. If you’re wondering whether GAD can be cured, the short answer is that it’s highly treatable.

Before you call, jot down a few details. Note how many nights a week you have sleep breaks and which topics set the worry off most. List your medications, supplements, and daily caffeine, since each one affects anxiety. A family member's observations can help too, if they are willing to share them. Our admissions team can schedule the evaluation and check your insurance in the same call.

Insurance

Insurance and Costs

We help you understand out-of-network coverage, deductibles, and payment options. Our priority is access and clarity.

Verify Insurance

Medicaid and Medicare are not accepted. Self-pay options are available.

What Does GAD Treatment Include at Drift?

Our GAD treatment in Colorado Springs starts with your evaluation and your weekly schedule. Worry is easier to manage when you have tools ready from the start. Your provider builds the plan around the symptoms costing you most, such as sleep, concentration, or constant tension. The plan changes as your symptoms change. The services below can all be part of generalized anxiety disorder therapy with us:

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): You practice mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation to ride out a spike of worry. We deliver DBT through weekly individual sessions and skills groups.

Family therapy: Parents, partners, siblings, or trusted caregivers join sessions of about 50 to 60 minutes. You work on communication and healthy boundaries. The format gives loved ones a way to stop answering the same reassurance question over and over.

Individual therapy: Sessions start with your biggest worries, such as job security or your kids' safety. You set goals with your therapist and revisit them as the worry moves from one topic to another.

Psychiatric evaluations: A nurse practitioner reviews your history, sleep, and past medications. Your provider explains medication options and side effects before you decide. Follow-up visits track how a medication is working.

Tell your provider about any alcohol or sedative use, including benzodiazepines. Alcohol and sedatives quiet worry for a few hours, and the anxiety returns stronger once they wear off. Benzodiazepines can also cause dependence, even when taken as prescribed. Dual diagnosis care treats anxiety and substance use together.

How Do You Choose Between IOP and PHP for GAD?

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) meets three to five days weekly, three to four hours at a time. Morning, afternoon, and evening blocks let you fit treatment around work or school. IOP is the starting level for most adults with GAD. It is where you practice new skills week after week. Virtual care offers the same program through secure video from your home. Your evaluation sets the starting level.

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) fits a more severe stage of GAD. You may need it when daily responsibilities have stopped or when IOP has not been enough. PHP programming takes up about five hours of each day you attend, and evenings are yours. Most of that time is group therapy, with individual sessions and psychiatric visits scheduled around it. As symptoms settle, your team can step you down to IOP.

Start Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Colorado Springs Today

Anxiety this constant is hard on you and on the people who love you. Drift Behavioral Health offers generalized anxiety disorder treatment in Colorado Springs, in person and by video. Our admissions team will explain how the evaluation works and go over your insurance benefits. Call us today and ask whatever you want to know before you decide.

(719) 319-4999 Verify Insurance

FAQ

FAQs About Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment

(719) 319-4999

What medical conditions can mimic generalized anxiety disorder?

Thyroid problems, certain medications, heavy caffeine use, and sleep disorders can cause restlessness and a racing heart. Your provider reviews your medical history and current medications to rule these out. Share any recent changes in your health, even if they seem unrelated.

How long do SSRIs and SNRIs take to work for GAD?

SSRIs and SNRIs, two antidepressant types also used for anxiety, take several weeks to reach full effect. Side effects can show up before the benefit does, so call your provider instead of stopping on your own. Your provider can adjust the dose or try a different medication.

Can I switch between virtual and in-person GAD treatment?

Yes. Tell your care team when your schedule or symptoms change, and they can adjust where you attend. Virtual sessions need a private space, a camera, and a steady internet connection.

How long does treatment for generalized anxiety take?

IOP for GAD commonly lasts two to six months. PHP, if you need it, adds about one to two months before IOP begins. Progress varies, and our blog post on the outlook for GAD covers what to expect.

Does insurance cover both therapy and medication visits for GAD?

Plans may handle therapy and psychiatric visits as separate benefits, each with its own copay or deductible. Drift works with PPO, POS, EPO, and HMO plans but does not accept Medicaid or Medicare. Admissions can check both benefits before you start.