What is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

GAD is a long-lasting problem with excessive anxiety and irrational worries. People with GAD are concerned about a range of things, including finances, health, family and work. The concerns are focused on the future and appear unlikely to happen.

GAD is not fully understood, however brain and genetic issues could be involved. Treatment may include medications and talk therapy.

Symptoms

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress, but when it becomes persistent and severe it can disrupt daily activities. It can trigger headaches, nausea, or tension in the muscles. It can also lead to issues like difficulty concentration at school or at work as well as issues with relationships and socializing. Anxiety disorders can be treated in various ways. These include psychotherapy and best medication for generalized anxiety disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by irrational and excessive anxiety. People with GAD worry about everyday issues, such as their health, finances and family, work and the future. They feel constantly in danger even when there is no reason to be worried. They can be worried meds for social anxiety disorder a time and appear out of nowhere.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) which is also known as social anxiety, is a disorder that causes people to be hesitant to interact with others, especially when they are in a group or one-on-one. They worry that they will say or do something embarrassing or foolish. Sweating, trembling and heart palpitations are possible signs. People with SAD are unable to or limit their social interactions that can affect their work performance and social life.

There are a myriad of treatments available for anxiety disorders, and a majority of people respond well to them. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help people to change their negative attitudes and behaviors that can cause anxiety. One type of therapy that is used in talk therapy is cognitive behavior therapy or CBT. It helps people recognize and correct the distorted thinking that causes panic attacks and anxiety. It also helps the patient learn how to handle fearful situations.

Medicines can help control some of the physical symptoms, such as dizziness and stomach upset. They can also help people who suffer from anxiety to sleep better and feel more at ease. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs (escitalopram, Lexapro) or SNRIs (fluoxetine, Prozac), are commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders. Antidepressants like tricyclics and monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are also prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders.

It's important to stick with the treatment for anxiety disorders. Stopping medications abruptly can aggravate symptoms. Some over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements may increase anxiety, so it's recommended to consult an expert in health before taking these supplements.

Treatment

When you feel anxious, it is normal, if your anxieties interfere with your life and making you feel miserable visit your doctor. Your doctor will ask you questions and refer you to a mental health specialist for diagnosis and treatment.

It is not known what causes anxiety disorders, but certain life events or traumatic experiences can increase your risk of developing anxiety disorders. They also can occur in people who are genetically susceptible to these disorders. Your doctor can assess the severity of symptoms by using various tests and screening tools. The GAD-7 scale, which was created by Drs. Spitzer, Williams Monahan and Kroenke are self-reporting tools that can be helpful to diagnose GAD.

If they are taken regularly, medications can help reduce anxiety, especially when taken in accordance with the prescribed dosage. Antidepressants, which are often recommended to treat anxiety disorder, are among the most effective drugs available. Both prescription and over-the counter versions are available. Antidepressants are frequently avoided by those who are afraid of becoming dependent on them. However unlike sleeping pills sedatives, and painkillers, antidepressants aren't a cause of dependence.

Psychotherapy is another option to treat anxiety. This kind of treatment, often referred to as talk therapy, will teach you how to manage your anxiety-related symptoms and avoid the escalating effects of anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common form of psychotherapy that assists people recognize negative and fearful thoughts and behavior and alter them. CBT has been proven to be just as effective as medications for anxiety in certain studies.

Other forms of psychotherapy include mindfulness training as well as acceptance-commitment therapy (ACT), or interpersonal therapy. These therapies could be effective in treating anxiety but some research is still lacking.

Lifestyle changes can also help. Regular exercise can improve mood and decrease anxiety. A balanced diet can help reduce the effects of stress on the body. Spend time with your family and friends, learn new hobbies or join an anxiety support group.

Diagnosis

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point, especially when faced with a major challenge like a job interview. GAD is different because the person with it feels constantly anxious and not just at times. They also have difficulty controlling their anxiety, and tend to anticipate the worst in a range of everyday life situations. They could be triggered by financial, health, or problems in the family, or work or school performance. The worry can float from one issue to the next and be present for months or years.

Doctors diagnose anxiety disorders by evaluating a patient's symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. They will ask you about your previous health and perform tests to determine if there is any physical causes to your symptoms. They will also check for other mental illnesses such as depression.

GAD is not diagnosed by lab tests, however, your doctor will examine your thyroid function and blood pressure. They will inquire about your daily routine, and examine your anxiety history. If you have a family history of anxiety disorders or if you've had traumatizing experiences in your the past, it could make you more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. Certain medications and substances could also increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

GAD is more prevalent in women than males, and usually occurs around the age of 30, but it can happen at any point in time. It is a condition that can last for a lifetime, but it can be treated with medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy). You can choose to use either or both of these treatments. Medication can help with anxiety and physical symptoms like headaches and muscle tension. Psychotherapy can help you to shift your negative thoughts that contribute to anxiety and help deal with stress in a healthier way. You can also explore relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation to reduce anxiety and ease its symptoms. Some people discover that exercise or other activities that help them focus their minds can help ease anxiety, too.

Prevention

People suffering from anxiety disorders often get relief from medications and therapy. Many people also employ relaxation techniques, diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes to control their symptoms. Therapy for anxiety helps people recognize and confront negative thoughts that fuel their anxiety. These treatments can include cognitive behavior therapy, in which people are taught to change their thinking patterns and exposure therapy, which is the process of confronting fears one at a time. In the short-term, medications can be used to help treat the symptoms. Therapy is the mainstay.

Generalized anxiety disorder gad is characterized by over-exaggerated and persistent feeling of anxiety or worry about many different things. These feelings are difficult to control and can last for more than six months. GAD sufferers may not be capable of identifying the root of their anxiety, and they can't always identify what is bothering them. Health, money, friends and family and other daily activities are common worries. They worry about "what-ifs" like their children being in trouble or their home burning down.

In addition to creating anxiety, stress can also affect the ability of a person to perform everyday tasks like school or work. It can cause problems sleeping and can cause discomfort and pain. It also increases the likelihood of a person developing other mental health problems like depression. It can also impact relationships and a person's level of living.

Certain factors can make someone more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. These are called risk factors. They include the presence of mental health issues and having a family member with an anxiety disorder. Childhood abuse physical and emotional can increase the likelihood of developing anxiety disorders later in life. Some medical conditions such as heart disease or lung disease can also cause anxiety. These are often the first signs of a problem. Certain medications can trigger anxiety as an effect.

Some herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines can also cause anxiety, which is why people should consult a physician prior to using them. Alcohol, nicotine and other drugs can worsen the symptoms.