Generalized Anxiety

Persistent worry that feels hard to control, even when life is going “fine.”

What This Can Look Like

Generalized anxiety often shows up as constant “what if” thinking about everyday life. Worry can feel like problem-solving, but it rarely leads to clarity or relief.

Common signs include:

  • Worry occurring more days than not
  • Difficulty controlling worry
  • Muscle tension, headaches, or tight shoulders
  • Sleep disruption
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating
Sitting in bed anxious

How Anxiety Maintains the Cycle

Many people with chronic worry develop a belief that worrying prevents bad things from happening or helps them stay prepared. This belief can keep the worry cycle going. People also often try to feel better through worry behaviors like reassurance-seeking, checking symptoms online, or avoiding situations that trigger uncertainty.

How CBT and Exposure Therapy Help

CBT helps you recognize worry patterns and change how you respond to uncertainty. Treatment focuses on:

  • Learning to notice worry habits without getting pulled into them
  • Reducing reassurance-seeking and checking behaviors
  • Building tolerance for uncertainty
  • Practicing skills that support calm, focus, and follow-through

What Treatment Looks Like at KY Cards

Sessions are structured and skills-based. You will set clear goals with your clinician and practice tools in everyday situations so progress transfers into real life.

Walking alone in forest

Is This the Right Fit?

If worry feels constant, exhausting, or disruptive, CBT is a strong fit. You do not have to “stop worrying” to succeed. The goal is to change your relationship with worry so it no longer runs your life.