What is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

GAD is a chronic problem with excessive anxiety and irrational concerns. GAD can cause people to worry about many things, including their finances, health, family, and work. The concerns are focused on the future, and are unlikely to happen.

GAD is not well understood, however the brain and genetics may be involved. Medicine and talk therapy are used in the treatment of GAD.

Signs and symptoms

Anxiety is a natural response to stress. However, when it becomes persistent or severe it can disrupt everyday activities. It can trigger headaches, nausea or muscle tension. It can also cause problems such as difficulty working or studying and issues with relationships and socializing. There are several different treatments that can help with anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy and medication are two of the options.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by irrational and excessive anxiety. People suffering from GAD worry about the everyday concerns such as their finances, health and family, work and the future. They believe that they're constantly under threat, even when there's no reason for them to be worried. Worries can last a long while and seem to appear out of nowhere.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) which is also known as social phobia, is a condition in which people are afraid to interact with others particularly in a group or one-on-one. They fear that they might make a mistake or say something embarrassing or stupid. Sweating, trembling and heart palpitations are possible symptoms. People with SAD are unable to or limit their social activities and can impact their job performance and social life.

Most people respond well to treatment for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can assist individuals in learning to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that cause their 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 handle fearful situations.

Medicines can alleviate certain physical symptoms, like nausea and dizziness. They can also help people who suffer from anxiety rest better and feel more at ease. Antidepressants like SSRIs, Lexapro, Escitalopram or SNRIs, fluoxetine, Prozac, are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Doctors may also prescribe different types of antidepressants, like tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which act differently and are less effective, but they can be used in conjunction with other medications to treat anxiety.

It is essential 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 meds for anxiety disorders to talk to a doctor before taking these.

Treatment

Although feeling anxious at times is normal, if your worries interfere with your day-to-day life and making you feel uneasy visit your doctor. Your doctor will ask questions and may refer you to a mental health specialist to diagnose and treat.

The root cause of anxiety disorders is not fully understood however certain life experiences and traumatic events seem to increase the chance of developing one. They also can occur in those who are genetically susceptible to these disorders. Numerous screening tests and tests can help your doctor determine the severity of your symptoms. For instance the GAD-7 scale developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams, Monahan and Kroenke is a self-report instrument that can be helpful for diagnosing GAD.

The use of medications can greatly reduce anxiety, particularly when taken regularly and as prescribed. Antidepressants are some of the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders. They can be found in both over-the-counter and prescription 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 another option for treating anxiety. Sometimes called talk therapy, this kind of treatment can help you learn strategies to deal with your symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-known form of psychotherapy that helps people identify negative and threatening thoughts and behaviors and change them. CBT has been found to be as effective in treating anxiety as medications 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, they may offer an alternative method of treating anxiety and can be worth trying.

Lifestyle changes can also help. Regular exercise programs can improve mood and decrease anxiety. A balanced diet can help reduce the effects of stress on the body. Try to spend time with family and friends or engage in a pastime or join an organization that helps those suffering from anxiety.

Diagnosis

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time and this is especially true when faced with a big challenge such as an interview for a job or a medical test. GAD is different in that the person suffering from it is constantly anxious, not just sometimes. They also have trouble controlling their anxiety and tend to expect the worst about the smallest of problems. This includes health, money problems, family issues, work or school performance. The anxiety can fluctuate between different concerns and last for many months or even years.

Doctors diagnose anxiety disorders based on the symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. They will ask you about your health history and run tests to see if you have any physical causes of your symptoms, such as thyroid disease or heart disease. They will also look for other mental health conditions like depression.

There are no tests in the lab for GAD however, your healthcare provider will test 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 had traumatizing experiences in your childhood, this can make you more likely to develop anxiety disorders anxiety. Certain medications and substances may increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

GAD is more prevalent in women than in males, and usually begins around the age of 30, but it can occur at any time in life. It is a condition that can last for a lifetime however it can be treated with medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy). You can decide to choose one or both treatments. The use of medication can ease anxiety and physical symptoms, such as tension in muscles and headaches. Psychotherapy can help you learn how to alter negative thoughts that lead to anxiety and stress. You can also try relaxation techniques, like yoga or meditation to reduce anxiety and lessen the symptoms. Some people find that exercising or other activities that help them focus their minds can ease anxiety, too.

Prevention

People with anxiety disorders usually find relief through medication and therapy. Some people utilize relaxation methods, diets, exercises and other lifestyle changes to control their symptoms. Talk therapies assist people in identifying and confront the negative thoughts that trigger 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. Medicines can be used to alleviate symptoms in the short term, while therapy is the primary method of treatment.

Generalized anxiety disorder gad is characterised by exaggerated and persistent feelings of anxiety or worry about a variety of things. These emotions are difficult to manage and can last for more than six months. People with GAD might have a difficult in identifying what they're concerned about, and their concerns generally don't have a particular root. Typical concerns include money, health and family, friends and family working, and other activities that are part of their day. They are worried about "what-ifs" like their children getting in trouble or their home burning down.

In addition to causing anxiety, anxiety can also affect the ability of a person to perform daily tasks, like work and school. It can cause sleep problems and aches and discomforts. It can anxiety disorders be cured also increase the likelihood of a person developing other mental health problems, such as depression. It can also affect the quality of relationships a person has and their the quality of life.

Certain factors increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders. These are called risk factors. They are the family history of anxiety disorders as well as a history with other mental health issues. Childhood abuse physical and emotional can increase the chance of developing anxiety disorders later in life. Certain medical conditions like heart disease or lung disease can also cause anxiety. These are usually the first symptoms of an issue. As a side effect certain medications can cause anxiety.

Certain herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines can also cause anxiety, so it is recommended to consult a physician prior to using these products. Alcohol, nicotine, and drug abuse can also make the symptoms worse.