What is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

GAD is a chronic problem that involves excessive anxiety and irrational worry. People suffering from GAD worry about a wide range of things including finances, health, family and work. The worry is centered around the future and is unlikely to occur.

GAD isn't fully understood, but genetics and brain problems may be involved. Talk therapy and medicine are used in the treatment of GAD.

Signs and symptoms

Anxiety is the natural reaction to stress. However, if it becomes chronic or persistent, it can interfere in everyday activities. It can cause headaches, nausea, or tension in the muscles. It can also cause issues like a difficult time concentrating at school or work as well as difficulties in relationships and socializing. There are several different methods that can help anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy and medication are two options.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental disorder characterized by irrational, excessive worry. People suffering from GAD worry about every day issues, such as their health, finances families, jobs and the future. They feel constantly threatened even when there is no reason to be worried. The fear can last for a long time and appear out of nowhere.

People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) have a fearful attitude of interacting with other people, especially in groups or one-on-one. They worry that they will make a mistake or say something embarrassing or foolish. The fear of being embarrassed, shaking and heart palpitations are all possible symptoms. People with SAD may avoid or limit social interaction, which can negatively affect their social anxiety disorder dsm 5 life as well as job performance.

Many people are able to respond well treatment for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help people change their negative thoughts and behavior, which are the cause of anxiety. One form of therapy that is used in talk therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. It assists people to recognize and correct distorted thoughts that trigger panic attacks and anxiety. It also teaches the patient how to cope with fearful situations.

Some physical symptoms such as nausea and dizziness can be controlled with the help of medications. They can also help people with anxiety to sleep better and feel more relaxed. Antidepressants such as SSRIs (escitalopram, Lexapro) or SNRIs (fluoxetine, Prozac), are often prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Doctors can also prescribe other types of antidepressants like tricyclics or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) which work differently and are less effective however, they can be used in conjunction with other medications to combat anxiety.

It is important to keep taking medication for anxiety disorders. Stopping medications abruptly can aggravate symptoms. Certain herbal supplements and prescription medications can also aggravate anxiety. It is best medicine for generalized anxiety disorder to talk to a doctor before taking these.

Treatment

When you feel anxious, it is normal, if you feel that your worries are interfering with your day-to-day life and making you feel unhappy consult your physician. Your doctor will ask you questions and refer you to a mental health provider for diagnosis and treatment.

The reason for anxiety disorders is not fully known however certain life experiences and traumatic events may increase the risk of developing one. People with genetic predisposition can also develop anxiety disorders. Your doctor can assess the severity of symptoms by using various tests and screening tools. For instance the GAD-7 scale developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams, Monahan and Kroenke, is a self-report tool that can be helpful for diagnosing GAD.

The use of medications can greatly reduce anxiety, particularly when used regularly and in accordance with the prescription. Antidepressants are some of the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorder. They are available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. Many people avoid taking them due to the fear that they will become dependent, but unlike painkillers, sleeping pills ocd and anxiety disorder sedatives antidepressants don't cause dependence.

Psychotherapy is another treatment option for anxiety. This kind of treatment, often referred to as talk therapy, will teach you how to manage your anxiety symptoms and stop their worsening. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that assists people overcome their fearful and negative habits and thoughts. CBT has been proven to be as effective for anxiety as medication in some studies.

Other types of psychotherapy include mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and interpersonal therapy. Although there isn't much research on these therapies however, they may provide an alternative approach to dealing with anxiety and could be worth trying.

Lifestyle changes can also benefit. Regular exercise can improve mood and decrease anxiety. A balanced diet can help to reduce the effects of stress. Spend time with your family and friends, take up a new hobby or join an anxiety support group.

Diagnosis

Everyone experiences anxiety at times, especially when faced with an overwhelming task like a job interview. GAD is different because people with it feel anxious throughout the day and not just occasionally. They also have difficulty controlling their anxiety and tend to think that they are in the dark about various everyday life issues. They could be related to health, money, problems in the family, or work or school performance. Worries can move from one issue to the next and can last for months or even years.

Doctors diagnose anxiety disorders medicine disorders by analyzing a patient's symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. They will inquire about your past health and run tests to see whether you are suffering from any physical reasons for your symptoms, like thyroid disease or heart disease. They will also test for any other mental disorders like depression.

There are no tests in the lab for GAD however, your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure, heart rate and thyroid function. They will inquire about your lifestyle and will look into your anxiety history. If you have an ancestral history of anxiety disorders or if you've experienced an experience that was traumatic in your childhood, this can make you more likely to develop anxiety disorders. Certain medications and substances could also increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

GAD is more common in women than in men, and typically occurs around the age of 30, although it can develop at any time in life. It is a lifelong condition, but it can be managed with medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy). You can decide to choose one or both therapies. Medicines can ease anxiety and its physical symptoms, including tension in muscles, headaches and trembling. Psychotherapy can help you learn to overcome the negative thoughts that cause anxiety and help manage stress in a healthier manner. You can also employ techniques of relaxation like meditation or yoga to ease anxiety symptoms. Activities that help people focus their minds can also help to reduce anxiety.

Prevention

People who have anxiety disorders can often find relief through medication and therapy. Certain people employ relaxation methods, diets, exercises and other lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. Therapy for anxiety helps people recognize and confront the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. These treatments include cognitive behavior therapy in which individuals are taught to alter their thinking patterns as well as exposure therapy, where they confront their fears one by one. In the short-term, medications can be prescribed to alleviate symptoms. Therapy is the mainstay.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent and over-exaggerated feelings of worry or dread over a variety of things. These feelings are difficult to control and tend to last longer than six months. GAD sufferers may not be in a position to pinpoint the source of their worries and may not be able to identify what is the issue. Health, money as well as family and friends, work or other daily activities are common concerns. They also have "what anxiety disorder-if" concerns about possible events that could happen, such as their children getting into trouble or their home burning down.

In addition to causing anxiety, stress can also hinder a person's ability to do everyday tasks like school or work. It can cause issues sleeping and trigger discomfort and pain. It also increases the likelihood of a person developing other mental health problems such as depression. It can also impact the relationships of a person and their quality of life.

Certain factors increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders. These are referred to as risk factors. They include a family history of anxiety disorders and an underlying history of mental health problems. Physical and emotional abuse in early childhood can increase the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder later in life. Certain medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart diseases, or thyroid problems can cause anxiety, and are often the first sign of an issue. As a result certain medications can trigger anxiety.

Some herbal supplements and over the prescription medications can also increase anxiety, so it is recommended that people consult with a doctor prior to when they use these products. Abuse of alcohol and drugs and nicotine can make the symptoms worse.