What is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
GAD is a chronic condition that is characterized by excessive anxiety and irrational worry. People with GAD worry about a wide range of things, including health, money, family and work. The focus is on the future, and appears unlikely to happen.
GAD isn't fully understood, but genetics and brain problems may be involved. Treatment includes medicine and talk therapy.
Signs and symptoms
Anxiety is the natural reaction to stress. However, when it becomes severe or constant it can disrupt daily activities. It can cause headaches, nausea, or muscle tension. It can also cause problems like difficulty concentrating at school or work and issues with relationships and socializing. There are many different treatments that can help with anxiety disorders. These include psychotherapy and medication.
Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental illness characterized by irrational and excessive anxiety. People with GAD worry about every day issues such as their finances, health families, jobs and the future. They believe that they're constantly in danger, even though there's no reason for them to be worried. These fears can last for a long period of time and appear to pop up out of nowhere.
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) which is also known as social phobia, is a condition that causes people to be hesitant to interact with others particularly in a group or one-on-1. They fear that they might commit an embarrassing act or foolish. Tenseness, anxiety and heart palpitations are possible symptoms. People suffering from SAD tend to avoid or limit their social interactions that can affect their job performance as well as their social life.
The majority of people respond well to treatment for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help people to change their negative attitudes and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. One form of talk therapy is cognitive behavior therapy or CBT. It assists people to recognize and correct negative thoughts that cause panic attacks and anxiety. It also teaches patients how to face fearful situations and cope with them.
Medicines can ease some of the physical symptoms, like dizziness and stomach upset. They can also aid those suffering from anxiety to relax and sleep better. Antidepressants like SSRIs, Lexapro, Escitalopram or SNRIs, fluoxetine, Prozac, are typically prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Doctors may also prescribe different kinds of antidepressants, like tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which act differently and are less effective but can be used in combination with other medicines to treat anxiety.
It is essential to continue with the treatment for anxiety disorders. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause the symptoms to worsen. Certain herbal supplements and prescription medications can also aggravate anxiety. It is best to talk to a doctor before taking these.
Treatment
If your worries are interfering with your daily routine and making you unhappy consult your physician. Your doctor can ask you questions or refer you to a mental healthcare specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
It is not known what causes anxiety disorders however certain life events and traumatic experiences are believed to increase the likelihood of developing them. Genetically predisposed people may also be susceptible to developing anxiety disorders. Numerous screening tests and tests can help your doctor determine the severity of your symptoms. For example the GAD-7 scale created by Drs. Spitzer, Williams Monahan and Kroenke are self-report tools that are useful for diagnosing GAD.
When taken regularly, medications can help reduce anxiety, especially when taken in accordance with the prescribed dosage. Antidepressants are among the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders. Both prescription and over-the-counter versions are available. Many people steer clear of them because they think they'll become dependent, but unlike painkillers, sleeping pills and sedatives, antidepressants aren't a cause of dependence.
Psychotherapy is another option to treat anxiety. This kind of treatment, sometimes called talk therapy, will teach you how to manage your anxiety symptoms and stop the severity of your anxiety from getting worse. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular form of psychotherapy that helps people learn how to recognize negative and fearful thoughts and behavior and then change them. CBT has shown to be just as effective as medications for anxiety in certain studies.
Other types of psychotherapy include mindfulness training as well as acceptance-commitment therapy (ACT), or interpersonal therapy. These therapies could be effective in treating anxiety however, research on these treatments is lacking.
Lifestyle changes can also help. Regular exercise can boost mood and reduce anxiety. A balanced diet can help reduce the effects of stress on the body. Spend time with your family and friends, take up a hobby or join an organization that helps those with anxiety.
Diagnosis
Everyone experiences anxiety at some point particularly when facing the biggest challenge, such as a job interview. However, GAD is different because people with it feel constantly anxious, not just some of the times. They also have difficulty controlling their anxiety and tend to expect the worst about a range of everyday life problems. This includes financial, health, family problems and school or work performance. The worry can float between different concerns and last for many months or years.
Doctors diagnose anxiety disorders by evaluating the symptoms of a patient and how they affect their daily lives. They will ask about your health history, and will conduct tests to determine if there are physical causes for your symptoms. They will also test for other mental conditions like depression.
GAD is not detected by laboratory tests, but your doctor will test your blood pressure and thyroid function. They will also inquire about your lifestyle and review your anxiety history. If you have a family history of anxiety disorders or if you've experienced traumatizing experiences in your the past, it could make you more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. Certain drugs and substances can also increase your risk for developing an anxiety disorder.
GAD is more common in women than males, and usually occurs around the age of 30, but it can develop at any time in life. It is a chronic condition which can be treated with medication and psychotherapy. Treatment options may include one or both of these therapies. The use of medication can help ease the physical and mental symptoms, like muscle tension, headaches and trembling. Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts that lead to stress and anxiety. You can also employ techniques of relaxation like meditation or yoga to ease anxiety symptoms. Some people find that exercising or other activities that help them focus their minds can ease anxiety, too.
Prevention
Talk therapy and medication can be beneficial for those with anxiety disorders. Many people also employ relaxation techniques as well as diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes to control their symptoms. Talk therapies help people identify and challenge the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. These treatments can include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps individuals learn to change their thinking patterns, as well as exposure therapy, which involves facing fears one at a time. Medications can be used to treat symptoms for a short time but therapy is the mainstay of treatment.
Generalized anxiety disorder gad is defined by persistent and exaggerated feelings of anxiety or worry about many different things. It's difficult to control these emotions, and they are more likely to last for more than 6 months. The people suffering from GAD might have a difficult time telling what they're worried about, and their worries typically don't have a clear root. Typical concerns include money, health and family members working, and other activities that are part of their day. They fret about "what-ifs" such as their children getting into trouble or their home burning down.
Anxiety can affect everyday tasks such as school and work. It can cause problems sleeping and cause aches and pains. It also increases a person's risk for having other mental health problems, such as depression. It can also affect relationships and a person's quality of life.
Certain aspects make people more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. These are known as risk factors. These include a family history of anxiety disorders and an underlying history of mental health problems. Childhood abuse, both emotional and physical can increase the likelihood of developing anxiety disorders later in life. Certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease or thyroid problems, can also cause anxiety, and are often the first sign of a problem. Certain medications can trigger anxiety as an adverse effect.
Certain herbal supplements and over-the prescription medications can also increase anxiety, and therefore people should consult with a doctor before they use them. Drug and alcohol abuse and nicotine can make symptoms worse.