Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Most people have some anxiety when they face a new challenge, but with GAD the anxiety is more persistent and excessive. Worries are about anything from money and work to family health and upcoming events.
Psychotherapy and medications can help people manage their ailments. One type of psychotherapy is cognitive therapy, which teaches new ways of thinking and reacting to situations.
Signs and symptoms
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, but when this anxiety becomes a regular thing and severe, it can be a snare. GAD sufferers have a difficult managing their anxiety and they find themselves constantly thinking about family, work, money, health or other concerns. They often expect catastrophe and the worst outcome for every situation, even if there is no reason to believe that their anxiety is justified.
GAD symptoms may include excessive worry and restlessness, insomnia tension, irritability, sweating and shaking. It is also possible to experience dry mouth or difficulty swallowing. These issues can make it difficult to focus and keep up with work or school.
The root cause of GAD is not completely known however, genetics and other life events play a role. The brain neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid may make certain people more prone to it. Also, traumatic life experiences and stress can trigger anxiety-related episodes.
GAD symptoms can manifest at any time. Women are twice as prone to develop GAD as men. GAD can be severe or mild, but most of the times it is chronic (ongoing).
GAD can be treated in many ways. Psychotherapy and medication are the most common treatments. Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy and involves working with a therapist in order to learn new ways of thinking and behaving that can help you decrease anxiety. GAD is often treated with cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy that is thoroughly studied.
People suffering from GAD might benefit from changes in their lifestyle, such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, and relaxation methods. Also, you should eat healthy and stay clear of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and illegal drugs. Antidepressants are the most common medication for GAD, but there are also other options. A doctor or a psychiatrist can prescribe these medications. Some people with GAD benefit from practicing mindfulness meditation which has been proven to lower levels of stress hormones in the body. Other options include light therapy, hypnosis and Acupuncture. GAD is a chronic issue, but it usually improves by taking medication and psychotherapy.
Diagnosis
Anxiety is the brain's natural reaction to stress. It warns you of danger. Everybody experiences anxiety at times such as when faced with a difficult problem at work or when you have to undergo a medical examination. People suffering from anxiety disorders experience a lot of unreasonable anxiety and fear. They also have trouble controlling their symptoms, which can have an impact on their everyday life. It is possible to avoid social events such as going out with friends or attending family gatherings because of the symptoms of anxiety disorders. But with treatment, you can manage your symptoms and live a happy, healthy life.
A mental health specialist can diagnose generalized anxiety disorder based on your answers to a series of questions and tests. You'll be asked about your symptoms along with their severity as well as the duration of time you've experienced them. Your doctor will then suggest the use of psychotherapy (talk therapy) or medication to treat your condition.
Psychotherapy is a powerful treatment that can help you to change negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. It's typically conducted by a trained mental health professional such as psychiatrists or psychologists. In some cases your doctor might suggest an array of treatments including psychotherapy and medications.
Medicines can ease the symptoms of GAD in around half of people with GAD. About half of them suffer from. These include benzodiazepine medications that calm quickly antidepressants, benzodiazepine, and the antianxiety medication buspirone. People suffering from GAD must also learn strategies for coping and adopt lifestyle adjustments to manage their symptoms.
People suffering from GAD frequently suffer from other psychiatric conditions like depression or dysthymia, and problems with substance abuse. The co-occurrence of these disorders can increase the severity of your symptoms and decrease the effectiveness of treatment.
Research has demonstrated that a combination therapy is the most effective method to combat GAD. GAD can be effectively treated through relaxation techniques, improving physical health and undergoing psychotherapy. Certain medications can help ease symptoms, but you should discuss this with your doctor. A high dosage of prescription medications can cause dependence and side negative effects.
Treatment
Everyone feels anxious from time to time However, if your anxiety is persistent and is affecting your daily activities, you may suffer from GAD. GAD can affect adults as well as children, but is more common in women. It is also more likely to be experienced by relatives with an anxiety or depression.
The first step in treating GAD is to speak with a mental health professional. This could be an adolescent psychiatrist, child psychiatrist psychologist, psychiatric nursing practitioner or social work. A physical exam including a blood-pressure check and questionnaires is frequently used to determine the cause of the disorder.
GAD is best treated by a combination of medication and psychological treatment. The treatment for GAD that is psychological is focused on addressing your anxiety and teaching ways to control it. Medication is prescribed to reduce the severity of your symptoms while you take care of your therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) will teach you how to recognize and confront harmful thoughts that cause anxiety. It teaches you to alter your behavior, and then gradually return to activities you've avoided due to anxiety.
CBT has been demonstrated to be more effective than taking medication alone. It's important to choose a provider with experience in treating anxiety disorders using CBT.
Antidepressants, muscles relaxants and sedatives are among the most common medications used to treat generalized anxiety disorder. Your doctor will assist you in picking the correct medication.
Finding an organization that can aid in managing your condition is equally important. Talking to your loved ones particularly one who has experienced GAD is extremely beneficial. Additionally you should try to engage in some kind of exercise regularly to calm your nervous system and to relieve stress. Even gardening, yoga or a brisk walk can help relieve tension. A lack of social interaction could also cause anxiety. Spending time with your family and friends regularly is essential.
The following is a list of preventions.
Everyone feels occasionally anxious It's a normal reaction to fear or stress. If worries and fears become constant, it can be a problem. In generalized anxiety disorders (GAD), a diffuse feeling of anxiety or fear can be felt throughout a person's daily life. They are constantly anticipating the worst and are unable to control their thoughts or relax. It can be physically and mentally exhausting.
GAD is not the same as depression or phobias, which are typically focused on a single issue. GAD patients are often worried about a variety of things and are unable to pinpoint the causes. GAD is believed to be caused by a combination factors. Genetics, brain chemistry, and stress in the environment may all play a role.
Researchers aren't able to pinpoint exactly what causes GAD but it does appear to run in families. GAD symptoms are caused by changes in the balance of certain brain chemicals that control mood and emotion. Psychotherapies and medications that target these neurotransmitters can help alleviate symptoms.
Other factors that can be a contributing factor to the development of GAD include the temperament and family history. People who are shy or shy or have a history of trauma may be more susceptible to anxiety disorders. Children whose parent suffers from anxiety disorders are at greater risk of developing one themselves.
Self-help strategies and professional support are both a part of the treatment plan for GAD. Self-help solutions include relaxation techniques, meditation, and exercise. It's also important to sleep enough and eat a healthy diet. Psychotherapy can help reduce fear by teaching coping techniques and using exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves intentionally placing yourself in situations you would normally avoid. Gradually, you advance to longer sessions and more intense sessions in which you resist the urge to flee. You use relaxation and coping statement and gradually reduce the amount of duration of the situations.
It is also important to learn as the information you can about your specific health condition. This can be done through reading books, on the Internet or consulting a medical professional. It's important to understand what is causing your anxiety and to realize that your fears are irrational.