By Frank Alex Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): what is it?
The symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) include worry, fear, and continuous overwhelm. Excessive concern over commonplace events rather than being focused on a particular issue or topic is a significant feature of generalized anxiety disorder. While worry and anxiety are normal human feelings, many who have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) experience them to the extent that they cause them to feel distressed or impaired in their ability to perform in several areas of their lives, including job, health, and finances. While somatic symptoms are frequently present in GAD, panic attacks are not a feature of the disorder.
Definition of generalized anxiety in the DSM-5
When diagnosing a patient with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), clinicians refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association Publishing, and contains the following criteria: For at least six months, you have been dealing with excessive concern or anxiety about a variety of events or activities, such as work, school, or performance, on a daily basis.
You can’t seem to stop worrying.
You feel a great deal of distress or impairment from anxiety, concern, and physical symptoms at work, in social situations, or in other important areas. There is no medical problem or drug’s side effects to be the cause of your symptoms.
Three or more of the following symptoms apply to you:
Having restlessness, being tense or agitated
Easily worn out
Problems focusing or losing track of ideas
Intolerance
Tension in the muscles
Inability to fall or keep asleep, or other disruptions to sleep
No other mental health issue more adequately explains your symptoms.
Recognizing the physical manifestations of GAD
Being nervous is only one aspect of anxiety. It is your body’s reaction to perceived dangers that sets off the “fight or flight” response, among other things. Constant stress in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can result in physical symptoms such as headaches, sweating, trembling, nausea, lightheadedness, exhaustion, muscle tension, gastrointestinal problems, restlessness, pent-up energy, and racing heartbeat.
How is a diagnosis of GAD made?
A mental health expert or your doctor should diagnose you with GAD. A physical examination may be the first step in the procedure to rule out any possible drug-related or underlying medical problems. Your medical history and symptoms will be thoroughly questioned. A number of psychological questionnaires are utilized by many physicians in addition to the DSM-5 criteria previously mentioned to assist in making a diagnosis.
What is the prevalence of these conditions?
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) released statistics indicating that anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health issues in the nation. According to the study, 19.1% of Americans have had GAD at some point in their lifetime. Furthermore, according to the ADAA, anxiety disorders are “highly treatable,” despite the fact that just 36.9% of those who suffer from them seek professional assistance.
GAD Comorbidity
A recent study found that generalized anxiety disorder frequently coexists, or is present in the same individual at the same time, with a number of different mental health issues. Alongside mood disorders (such as major depression or bipolar disorder), other anxiety disorders (such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, phobia-related disorder), chronic pain conditions, eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa), personality disorders, and sleep disorders, the disorder is frequently observed. Substance use disorders are more likely to develop in people with GAD.
Identifying GAD in kids
The symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder in children and adults are not usually the same. As opposed to their classmates who are not worried, children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) exhibit excessive and uncontrollable worry, according to child development specialists at Boston Children’s Hospital. Children with generalized anxiety disorder frequently display fear of future events in addition to regular anxiety symptoms, such as worrying about what will happen to them if their caregivers become ill or pass away. In addition, they could be too anxious about how they do in class, on the social scene, or in other situations; they might also get fixated on events, constantly anticipate the worst, and exhibit restless or excessive activity.
What is the source of anxiety disorders in general?
The causes of GAD are thought to be a complicated combination of many hereditary and environmental variables, as is the case with many mental health diseases. Different brain chemistry, events during development, personality traits, and the body’s reaction to dangers can all influence a person’s likelihood of developing a generalized anxiety disorder.
Handling GAD
Several mental health providers base their treatment strategy for generalized anxiety disorder on how much the condition interferes with your life and how much it impairs your everyday functioning. Psychotherapy and medicine are the two main treatment options available to you, however a thorough treatment plan may incorporate both. Many GAD patients report feeling better and having less symptoms after using these medications.
Medication
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are two of the many drug classes that clinicians employ to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The three most popular types of GAD medications are benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and anxiety relievers. Discuss the potential dangers, advantages, and side effects of medication with your doctor or mental health practitioner if you’re interested in learning how it might impact your GAD symptoms and level of functioning. Symptoms of anxiety medications vary depending on the kind and personal response. Sleepiness, vertigo, impaired vision, dry mouth, nausea, constipation, and weight loss or gain are typical adverse effects. Some people may react severely, developing allergies or breathing problems, for example. It’s imperative that you discuss any worries with a healthcare professional.
Psychoanalysis
The mainstay of care for generalized anxiety disorder is talk therapy. Working with a competent therapist has helped many patients realize improvements in their capacity to control their anxiety and a reduction in symptoms. One of the most popular therapies for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on recognizing and changing negative or maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which uses goal-setting and mindfulness to lessen anxiety-related discomfort, has also shown promise in treating patients.
