Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Overview

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about several different things. Individuals with GAD may envision calamity and may be overly concerned about money, health, family, work, or different issues. People with GAD think that it’s hard to control their concerns.

They may worry more than seems warranted about actual events or anticipate the most exceedingly terrible in anything even when there is no apparent reason for concern.

Symptoms of GAD

Psychiatric Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

Worrying about everyday things
Difficulty controlling anxiety or nervous feelings
Overthinking plans and solutions to all possible worst-case outcomes
Perceiving situations and events as threatening, even when they aren’t
Worry too much
Difficulty relaxing
Difficulty concentrating
Easily freaked out
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Easily feeling tired or tired all the time
Difficulty handling uncertainty
Indecisiveness and fear of making the wrong decision
Inability to set aside or let go of a worry
Inability to relax, feeling restless, and feeling keyed up or on edge
Difficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind “goes blank”

Physical Symptoms may Include:

Headache, stomach pain, or unexplained pain
Muscle tension or muscle aches
Trembling, feeling twitchy
Nervousness or being easily startled
Sweating
Nausea, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome
Irritability
Difficulty swallowing
Irritability or feeling “upset”

A generalized Anxiety Disorder Case

GAD occurs somewhat more often in women than men. Here we present a case of a woman with generalized anxiety disorder.

Diagnosed With GAD

GAD is diagnosed when a person finds it difficult to control worry on more days than not for at least six months and has three or more symptoms. This differentiates GAD from worry that may be specific to a set stressor or for a more limited time.

When to See a Doctor

Some anxiety is normal but see your doctor if:

You feel like you’re worrying too much, and it’s interfering with your work, relationships or other parts of your life.
You feel depressed or irritable, or you have other mental health concerns along with anxiety

Your worries are unlikely to simply go away on their own, and they may get worse over time. Try to seek professional help from Kazmo Brain Center before your anxiety becomes severe — it may be easier to treat early on.

Request an Appointment at Kazmo Brain Center.

Causes of GAD

As with many mental health conditions, the cause of generalized anxiety disorder likely arises from a complex interaction of biological and environmental factors, which may include:

Differences in brain chemistry and function
Genetics
Differences in the way threats are perceived
Life experiences
personality

Complications of GAD

Generalized anxiety disorder can prompt or compound physical health conditions such as:

Digestive or bowel problems such as irritable bowel syndrome or ulcers
Headaches and migraines
Chronic pain and illness
Sleep problems and insomnia
Heart-health issues

Generalized anxiety disorder frequently happens along with other mental health problems, which can make diagnosis and treatment more challenging. Some mental health disorders that ordinarily happen with generalized anxiety disorder include:

Depression
Phobias
Panic disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Suicidal thoughts or suicide
Substance abuse

How is GAD Treated?

First, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Your doctor should do an exam and ask you about your health history to make sure that an unrelated physical problem is not causing your symptoms. Your doctor may refer to you a mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. GAD is generally treated with psychotherapy, medication or both.

Psychotherapy

A type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is especially useful for treating GAD. CBT teaches a person different ways of thinking, behaving and reacting to situations that help him or her feel less anxious and worried.

Medication

Doctors may also prescribe medication to help treat GAD. Your doctor will work with you to find the best medication and dose for you.

Don’t give up on treatment too quickly. Both psychotherapy and medication can take some time to work.

Prevention

There’s no way to predict for certain what will cause someone to develop a generalized anxiety disorder, but you can take steps to reduce the impact of symptoms if you experience anxiety:

Get help early. Anxiety, like many other mental health conditions, can be harder to treat if you wait.
A healthy lifestyle can also help combat anxiety
Make sure to get enough sleep and exercise
Eat a healthy diet
Turn to family and friends who you trust for support.
Prioritize issues in your life. You can reduce anxiety by carefully managing your time and energy.

Avoid unhealthy substance use. Alcohol and drug use and even nicotine or caffeine use can cause or worsen anxiety.

Kazmo Brain Center is a counseling center in Frisco, Texas specializing in mental health counseling and will work with you toward a happier and more satisfying life. If you or your loved ones are Generalized Anxiety Disorder and you need help, request an appointment at Kazmo Brain Center and we are here to help.

Resources:

nimh.nih.gov

myoclinic.org

Anxity, GAD