What is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

GAD is a chronic problem that is characterized by excessive anxiety and irrational worries. People suffering from GAD are concerned about a range of issues, including family, finances, health and work. The focus is on the future and is unlikely to occur.

GAD is not fully understood, but the brain and genetics may be involved. Treatment options include medication and therapy for talk.

Symptoms

Anxiety is the natural reaction to stress. However, if it becomes severe or constant it can cause disruption to daily activities. It can trigger headaches, nausea or muscle tension. It can also cause problems like a difficult time concentrating at school or work and issues with relationships and socializing. Anxiety disorders can be treated in many ways. Psychotherapy and medication are two of the options.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental disorder characterized by irrational, excessive worry. People suffering from GAD worry often about everyday issues like health, money, family, work and the future. They believe they're always at risk, even when there's no reason to be concerned. Worries can last a long while and seem to appear out of thin air.

People suffering from social anxiety disorder (SAD) have intense fear of interacting with other people particularly in small groups or one-on-one. They fear that they might make a mistake or say something embarrassing or stupid. The symptoms could include sweating, shaking and heart palpitations. People with SAD avoid or limit social interactions and can impact their job performance and social life.

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

Certain physical symptoms, like nausea and dizziness can be controlled with the help of medications. They can also aid people who suffer from anxiety rest better and feel more at ease. Antidepressants, like SSRIs (escitalopram, Lexapro) or SNRIs (fluoxetine, Prozac), are often prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Antidepressants like tricyclics and monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are also prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders.

It is essential to keep taking medication for anxiety disorders. The abrupt discontinuation of medication could make the symptoms worse. Some over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements can increase anxiety, so it's recommended to consult an expert in health before taking these supplements.

Treatment

If your worries are causing disruption in your daily life, and making you feel uneasy visit your doctor. Your doctor can ask you questions or recommend you to a mental healthcare specialist for diagnosis and treatment.

It isn't known what causes anxiety disorders, but certain life events and traumatizing experiences can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders. Genetically predisposed people can also develop anxiety disorders. A variety of tests and screening tools can assist your doctor in determining the severity of your symptoms. For example, the GAD-7 scale, developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams Monahan and Kroenke are self-reporting tools that can be helpful in diagnosing GAD.

If taken regularly, medicines can reduce anxiety, particularly when they are taken according to the prescription. Antidepressants are among the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorder. They are available in both prescription and over the counter forms. Antidepressants are usually avoided by people who fear becoming dependent on them. However, unlike sleeping pills, painkillers and sedatives, antidepressants aren't a cause of dependence.

Psychotherapy is an alternative option to treat anxiety. Sometimes called talk therapy, this type of treatment will teach you strategies to deal with your symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that assists individuals to overcome their fearful and negative habits and thoughts. CBT has been proven to be as effective for anxiety as medication in a few studies.

Other forms of psychotherapy include mindfulness training, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and interpersonal therapy. Although research isn't complete on these treatments however, they could provide an alternative approach to dealing with anxiety and could be worth a try.

Lifestyle changes can also be beneficial. A regular exercise program can improve mood and decrease illness anxiety disorder, and a balanced diet can help reduce the effects of stress on the body. Spend time with friends and family or engage in a pastime, or join an organization that helps those with anxiety.

Diagnosis

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point, especially when faced with the biggest challenge, such as a job interview. GAD is different, because people with it feel anxious all the times and not just occasionally. They also have difficulty controlling their anxiety and tend to expect the worst about a range of everyday life issues. They can be related to health, money, problems in the family, or work or school performance. The anxiety can be a floater between various issues and last for many months or years.

Doctors diagnose anxiety disorders based on the reported symptoms and how they impact the person's daily life. They will ask you about your past health and conduct tests to determine whether you are suffering from any physical causes for your symptoms, such as thyroid or heart disease. They will also test for other mental illnesses like depression.

GAD is not diagnosed through lab tests, however, your doctor will examine your blood pressure and thyroid function. They will also ask questions about your lifestyle and look at your past history of anxiety. If you have a family history of anxiety disorders or if you've experienced an experience that was traumatic in your childhood, this could 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 prevalent among women than men. It usually begins around the age of 30 however, it can occur at any time in the course of life. It is a lifelong condition, but it can be treated with medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy). You can choose to use one or both treatments. Medication can alleviate anxiety and physical symptoms such as tension in muscles and headaches. Psychotherapy can help you learn how to overcome negative thoughts that lead to anxiety disorders what is it and stress. You can also utilize techniques of relaxation like meditation or yoga to ease your anxiety symptoms. Some people find that exercising or other activities that help them focus their minds help relieve anxiety, too.

Prevention

Talk therapy and medications can be beneficial for those with anxiety disorders. Certain people employ relaxation techniques, diets and exercises and other lifestyle changes to control their symptoms. Therapy for anxiety helps people identify and overcome negative thoughts that fuel their anxiety. These treatments can include cognitive behavior therapy, in which people learn to alter their thinking patterns, as well as exposure therapy, which involves facing fears one at a. In the short-term, medicines can be used to alleviate symptoms. Therapy is the most important component.

Generalized anxiety disorder gad is characterized by exaggerated and persistent feelings of anxiety or worry about a myriad of things. These feelings are difficult to control and can last for more than six months. People suffering from GAD may have a hard time telling what they're concerned about, and their concerns generally don't have a particular root. The most frequent concerns are money, health and family members working, and other daily activities. They also have "what-if" worries about things that could happen, such as their children getting in trouble or their house burning down.

In addition to causing stress, anxiety can affect the ability of an individual to complete daily tasks, like school and work. It can cause issues sleeping and trigger aches and pains. It can also increase the likelihood of a person developing other mental health problems, such as depression. It can also impact relationships and a person's level of living.

Certain aspects make people more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. These are known as risk factors. They can be triggered by having a history of other mental health issues and having a family member who suffers from an anxiety disorder. Childhood abuse physical and emotional can increase the likelihood of developing anxiety disorders later in life. Certain medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease, or thyroid issues, can also cause anxiety and are sometimes the first indication of problems. Certain medications can trigger anxiety as a side effect.

Some herbal supplements and over the drugs can also cause anxiousness, so people should consult a physician before they take them. Nicotine, alcohol and abuse of drugs can cause the symptoms to worsen.