Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a long-term condition associated with “free-floating” feelings of anxiety and irrational worry in a broad range of scenarios — such as finances, interpersonal relationships, the workplace, health issues, and death — rather than in just a single, isolated event.
While many are familiar with feeling anxious during stressful situations such as a job interview, taking an exam, or public speaking, persistent or excessive symptoms of anxiety that impair functioning can indicate a generalized anxiety disorder.
Prevalence
One of the most common mental disorders, GAD has a lifetime prevalence of 3 – 5%, with onset possible in childhood or adulthood. The female to male ratio of this condition is 2:1.
The actual causes of generalized anxiety are largely unknown but a genetic pre-disposition can be a factor, along with those with a more timid or overly cautious disposition.
Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
GAD has similar symptoms to other anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and panic disorder, but GAD is characterized by physical and psychological symptoms.
Physical symptoms include:
Psychological symptoms include:
With generalized anxiety, there can be periods of relief and there can be periods when there is no obvious source for the anxiety. Anxiety commonly manifests in a general impending sense of doom for oneself or one’s family’s safety. It is not uncommon for anxiety to cause problems at home, in work, at school, or in relationships.
With teenagers or young children, their symptoms may also include:
Some may also have extreme worries regarding sport or school performance, being on time, or re major events like earthquakes or nuclear war.
Diagnosing Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
To get an official diagnosis of GAD, symptoms must be present most days of the week for at least six months.
A doctor will complete a number of tests and investigations to rule out any other reasons for symptoms because many of the symptoms for GAD are also the symptoms for medical conditions such as an overactive thyroid.
The person’s answer to questionnaires, such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, will help the doctor nail down the exact cause and severity of GAD.
Diagnosis may include:
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 diagnostic manual, the criteria includes any one of the following symptoms for children, or any three for adults:
GAD is not necessarily a standalone disorder; it can often coexist with other mental disorders such as depression and/or alcohol dependence syndrome, phobias, panic disorder, or PTSD.
Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
The mainstay of treatment for GAD is talking therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or medication.
Psychotherapy – can be an effective therapist-based treatment to reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety. It is also referred to as talk therapy or psychological counseling.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy – is a short-term treatment where the individual is taught skills on how to ease back into activities currently avoided because of anxiety. Symptoms ease when these skills become habitual and the individual continues to reclaim their life.
Medications – often prescribed for general anxiety include:
Lifestyle changes – In addition to help you can get from a professional, certain lifestyle changes may also contribute to significant improvements in GAD symptoms, including:
Herbal remedies – Some individuals elect to pursue treatment that includes herbal remedies, and like medications, professional advice should be sought especially if currently taking medication for anything else. The more common options taken to address anxiety include kava, valerian, passionflower, and theanine. While many remedies have shown promise, a number have also been connected to liver damage, and as with medication treatment, talk to a doctor for a full understanding of the benefits or risks with any form of treatment.
Coping with Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Coping strategies
Help for Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
A life without some anxiety is not realistic, but at the same time, it should not be controlling one’s life. If the signs and symptoms mentioned in this article fit, then see a doctor. Left ignored or untreated, the symptoms will not simply diminish or leave on their own, and instead are more likely to worsen.
Get treatment as early as possible because of GAD’s potential to contribute to any of the following:
You should see a doctor immediately if you have thoughts of suicide.
Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
GAD has similar symptoms to other anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and panic disorder, but GAD is characterized by physical and psychological symptoms.
Physical symptoms include:
Psychological symptoms include:
With generalized anxiety, there can be periods of relief and there can be periods when there is no obvious source for the anxiety. Anxiety commonly manifests in a general impending sense of doom for oneself or one’s family’s safety. It is not uncommon for anxiety to cause problems at home, in work, at school, or in relationships.
With teenagers or young children, their symptoms may also include:
Some may also have extreme worries regarding sport or school performance, being on time, or re major events like earthquakes or nuclear war.
Diagnosing Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
To get an official diagnosis of GAD, symptoms must be present most days of the week for at least six months.
A doctor will complete a number of tests and investigations to rule out any other reasons for symptoms because many of the symptoms for GAD are also the symptoms for medical conditions such as an overactive thyroid.
The person’s answer to questionnaires, such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, will help the doctor nail down the exact cause and severity of GAD.
Diagnosis may include:
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 diagnostic manual, the criteria includes any one of the following symptoms for children, or any three for adults:
GAD is not necessarily a standalone disorder; it can often coexist with other mental disorders such as depression and/or alcohol dependence syndrome, phobias, panic disorder, or PTSD.
Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
The mainstay of treatment for GAD is talking therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or medication.
Psychotherapy – can be an effective therapist-based treatment to reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety. It is also referred to as talk therapy or psychological counseling.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy – is a short-term treatment where the individual is taught skills on how to ease back into activities currently avoided because of anxiety. Symptoms ease when these skills become habitual and the individual continues to reclaim their life.
Medications – often prescribed for general anxiety include:
Lifestyle changes – In addition to help you can get from a professional, certain lifestyle changes may also contribute to significant improvements in GAD symptoms, including:
Herbal remedies – Some individuals elect to pursue treatment that includes herbal remedies, and like medications, professional advice should be sought especially if currently taking medication for anything else. The more common options taken to address anxiety include kava, valerian, passionflower, and theanine. While many remedies have shown promise, a number have also been connected to liver damage, and as with medication treatment, talk to a doctor for a full understanding of the benefits or risks with any form of treatment.
Coping with Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Coping strategies
Help for Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
A life without some anxiety is not realistic, but at the same time, it should not be controlling one’s life. If the signs and symptoms mentioned in this article fit, then see a doctor. Left ignored or untreated, the symptoms will not simply diminish or leave on their own, and instead are more likely to worsen.
Get treatment as early as possible because of GAD’s potential to contribute to any of the following:
You should see a doctor immediately if you have thoughts of suicide.