What Is Anxiety Disorder And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
What is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
GAD is a persistent issue with excessive anxiety and irrational worries. People suffering from GAD worry about a wide range of issues, including finances, health, family and work. The worry is centered around the future, and are unlikely to happen.
It is unclear what causes GAD, but genes and problems with certain parts of the brain may be involved. Treatment may include medications and talk therapy.
Symptoms
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but when it becomes severe and constant, it can interfere with everyday activities. It can trigger headaches, nausea, or tension in the muscles. It can also cause problems like a difficult time in concentrating at work or school as well as difficulties in relationships and socializing. Anxiety disorders can be treated in a variety of ways. Psychotherapy and medication are two of the options.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health disorder that is characterized by excessive, irrational worrying. People suffering from GAD worry about every day issues such as their health, finances families, jobs and the future. They believe they're always in danger, even though there's no reason to worry. Worries can last a long while and seem to appear from nowhere.
People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) have intense fear of interacting with other people, especially in a group or one-onone. They fear that they might commit an embarrassing act or stupid. Sweating, trembling, and heart palpitations are possible symptoms. People suffering from SAD tend to avoid or limit their social interactions that can affect their job performance as well as their social life.
There are a myriad of treatments available for anxiety disorders, and the majority of people are able to respond to them. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help people to change their negative thoughts and behaviors, which can cause anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of talk therapy. It assists patients to recognize and correct distorted thoughts that trigger panic attacks and anxiety. It also teaches patients how to face anxiety-provoking situations and how to deal with them.
Certain physical symptoms, like nausea and dizziness are able to be controlled by taking medications. They can also aid people with anxiety sleep better and feel more at ease. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs, Lexapro, Escitalopram or SNRIs, fluoxetine, Prozac, are typically prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants, like tricyclics and monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) which work differently and are less effective but can be used in conjunction with other medications to combat anxiety.
It is important to stay on treatment for anxiety disorders. Stopping medication suddenly can worsen symptoms. Certain over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements can aggravate anxiety, so it's best to talk to a health care provider prior to taking them.
Treatment
If your worries are interfering in your daily life, and making you feel uneasy visit your doctor. Your doctor will ask you questions and refer you to a mental health professional to diagnose and treat.
The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't completely understood however, certain life experiences or traumatic events may increase the likelihood of developing one. They also can occur in those who are genetically susceptible to these disorders. Your doctor can assess the severity of symptoms using various tests and screening tools. For example, the GAD-7 scale, created by Drs. Spitzer, Williams, Monahan, and Kroenke, is a self-report tool that can be helpful for diagnosing GAD.
The use of medications can greatly reduce anxiety, especially when taken regularly and according to the prescribed. Antidepressants are among the most effective medications to treat anxiety disorder. They are available in both over-the-counter and prescription forms. Many people are reluctant to take them because they think they'll become dependent but unlike painkillers, sleeping pills and sedatives, antidepressants do not lead to dependence.
Psychotherapy is another option to treat anxiety. Sometimes called talk therapy, this kind of treatment can help you learn methods to manage your symptoms and keep them from getting worse. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of psychotherapy that helps people learn how to recognize negative and fearful thoughts and behaviors and change them. CBT has been shown to be as effective in treating anxiety as medications in a few studies.
Other types of psychotherapy include mindfulness training and acceptance-commitment therapy (ACT), or interpersonal therapy. These therapies may be effective in treating anxiety, but some research is still insufficient.
Lifestyle changes can also help. Regular exercise can improve mood and decrease anxiety. A healthy diet can also help reduce the effects of stress. Spend time with family and friends, take up new hobbies or join an anxiety support group.
Diagnosis
Everyone experiences anxiety at times particularly when confronted with a major challenge such as a job interview. However, GAD is different because people with it feel anxious all the time and not just a small portion of the times. They also have difficulty controlling their anxiety and expect the worst about a range of everyday life problems. This includes finances, health family problems, work or school performance. The anxiety can fluctuate between various issues and last for months or years.
Doctors diagnose anxiety disorders based on a person's reported symptoms and how they impact the person's daily life. type of anxiety disorder will inquire about your health history, and will conduct tests to determine if there is any physical causes for your symptoms. They will also check for other mental conditions like depression.
GAD is not diagnosed through laboratory tests, but your doctor will examine your blood pressure and thyroid function. They will also ask questions about your daily routine and review your history of anxiety. You could be more prone to anxiety disorders when you have an anxiety disorder history in your family or have had a difficult childhood. Some medications and substances can also increase your risk for developing an anxiety disorder.
GAD is more common in women than in men, and typically begins around the age of 30 but it can occur at any point in time. It is a chronic disease that can be treated by medication and psychotherapy. You can choose to use one or both therapies. Medicines can ease the anxiety and its physical symptoms, like tension in muscles, headaches and shaking. Psychotherapy can teach you how to overcome negative thoughts that cause anxiety and stress. You can also try relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation to help manage anxiety and reduce its symptoms. Some people find that exercise or other activities that help them concentrate their minds can help ease anxiety, too.
Prevention
Talk therapy and medication can be beneficial for those who suffer from anxiety disorders. Some people also use relaxation techniques as well as diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. Talk therapies teach people to identify and challenge negative thoughts that cause anxiety. These treatments include cognitive behavior therapy where people are taught to change their thinking patterns as well as exposure therapy where they face fears one by one. In the short term, medication are used to treat the symptoms. Therapy is the mainstay.
Generalized anxiety disorder gad is defined by exaggerated and persistent feelings of fear or anxiety about a myriad of things. It's difficult to control these feelings, and they can be expected to last for longer than six months. Those who suffer from GAD might have a difficult to articulate what they are worried about, and their worries typically don't have a clear root. Money, health, friends and family, work or other daily routines are all common worries. They are worried about "what-ifs" like their children getting into trouble or their home burning down.
Anxiety can also interfere with daily tasks like school and work. It can lead to sleep issues and aches and discomforts. It can also increase the likelihood of a person developing other mental health problems like depression. It can also affect the relationships of a person and their the quality of their life.
Certain factors increase the risk of anxiety disorders. These are known as risk factors. They include an history of mental health issues as well as having a family member with an anxiety disorder. Childhood abuse, both emotional and physical can increase the chance of developing anxiety disorders later in life. Certain medical conditions, such as lung disease or heart disease can trigger anxiety. These are often the first symptoms of an issue. Certain medications can trigger anxiety as a side effect.
Certain herbal supplements and over-the prescription medications can also increase anxiety, so it is recommended that people consult with a doctor before they take them. Alcohol and drug abuse and nicotine can also make the symptoms worse.