15 Things You're Not Sure Of About Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing persistent anxiety-related symptoms. Everybody has a moment of worry, but when they're affecting your daily routine, or causing you to be anxious, it's time to seek medical treatment. He or she may refer you to a psychiatrist and test for GAD.
Psychotherapy and medication can also aid many sufferers of GAD. Lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques are also helpful.
Tension and Worry
GAD patients have extreme and excessive tension and anxiety, even if there is no reason to be concerned. This can make it difficult to sleep and concentrate and the stress may linger for months or even years. GAD is often associated with other psychiatric disorders like depression, dysthymia or dysthymia.
It's important to speak to a mental healthcare professional if you have chronic, persistent symptoms of anxiety. They will employ diagnostic criteria, standard assessments and their clinical judgment to make the diagnosis.
It's normal to be stressed or anxious at times however, people with GAD suffer from constant and excessive anxiety and worry, and it can impact their daily lives and relationships. They are more likely to anticipate disaster and are more worried than is justified regarding various issues, including money family, work health, safety, and more. The stress can lead an individual to avoid activities, and can result in social isolation and loneliness.
The symptoms of GAD can be treated with medication and psychotherapy. Antidepressants and medications are used to treat anxiety-related symptoms. There are a variety of medications utilized, and the first line treatments are medications in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) classes. Examples include duloxetine, escitalopram, and venlafaxine.
Psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder can be beneficial, and there are many different kinds. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-studied and effective treatment for anxiety, and it can help you learn new ways of thinking and behaving that help reduce anxiety and stress. Psychotherapy is a long-term therapy that is most efficient when you work with an anxiety-trained therapist.
Social interaction can help ease anxiety symptoms. You should look for a support group you can trust. Having someone you can talk to in person, particularly when they've experienced anxiety themselves, can be very helpful. If you're unsure where to begin, ask your doctor for referrals to mental health professionals and an appointment with therapy.
Physical Symptoms
GAD can cause anxiety that is persistent even when there is very little or any reason to be concerned. It can affect children and adults, but it is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this disorder typically have physical symptoms such as tense muscles, sweating or trembling. Those with GAD cannot manage their thoughts or feelings and may feel as though they're losing control over their lives. This condition can also make them unable to relax and interfere with their relationships. GAD can be treated through psychotherapy or medication.
It's normal to feel anxious from time the time, particularly if your life is stressful. It is recommended to consult a physician if you are experiencing these symptoms regularly and they are affecting your daily life. The doctor will inquire to determine if there's nothing else causing them and may recommend an examination. Psychotherapy, which is similar to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a great option for a lot of people suffering from anxiety disorders such as GAD. The treatment helps people understand their anxiety, and gives them the tools to manage it. It usually involves exposure therapy, in which patients confront fearful or avoiding situations under the guidance of their therapists.
Certain physical symptoms associated with GAD symptoms, such as muscle tension and trembling can be relieved by medications. A psychiatrist or psychologist may prescribe antidepressants or other types of medication, to combat anxiety. Some people worry about becoming dependent on prescription medication however, these medications don't cause dependence and can be used together with psychotherapy.
Other methods can help to reduce anxiety and improve well-being by exercising that eases tension and increases the levels of feel-good chemicals in the brain. Meditation is another technique that can help reduce anxiety and encourage a calm mind. It's been shown to reduce the blood pressure and heart rate associated with stress.
Spending time with family and friends members can also help ease anxiety. You should find a person who is willing to listen and not criticize you. The person you choose will be able to assist you realize that your worries are unrealistic and that the world is not about to end.
Panic Attacks
There are a variety of reasons people feel anxious. For those suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) anxiety can be constantly and overwhelming. They can cause people to avoid social situations and everyday tasks. This could have a negative impact on their academic or work performance. They are also more likely to be worried about health concerns and other issues that might go wrong.
Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear that are accompanied by distressing physical symptoms, such as an increased heart rate and breath shortness. These panic attacks can be terrifying and may cause people to believe they are experiencing a heartattack or nervous breakdown. These episodes can be severe enough to prevent people from leaving home and may adversely affect relationships with family and friends.
Treatments for GAD or panic attacks can include medication, therapy modifications to diet and lifestyle and exercises. One form of therapy assists a person reshape and reduce their anxiety by using relaxation techniques and gradual exposure to situations they avoided. People can find support by joining groups with people with the same issue.
These medications can decrease anxiety and reduce panic attacks. They do this by altering the levels of neurotransmitters within the brain, including serotonin and gamma aminobutryic acids. These medications are commonly referred to as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or antidepressants. They are available without prescription or over-the-counter. They can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy.
Antidepressants do not cause addiction, unlike sleeping pills, sedatives, or painkillers. Certain antidepressants are cheaper than other prescription drugs. People who have anxiety may be reluctant to take these medications because they feel that it is a sign of weakness, however, these drugs can boost the quality of life of a person significantly. They can also assist them to lead a normal life, and they are less likely to experience future panic attacks than people who do not take medication.
Insomnia
GAD can make it difficult for people to fall asleep. They may be up all night, worrying about their family, work, health or other issues. They may wake up earlier than they intended or get a sleepless night and struggle to fall back to sleep. Sleepiness can trigger a range of issues, such as fatigue, irritability and fatigue. This condition can also cause headaches and digestive problems, such as diarrhea, constipation or upset stomach.
While everyone feels anxious from time to time fears or apprehension that last months and cause severe anxiety or disrupt everyday functioning could mean that you suffer from an anxiety disorder. The three most common anxiety disorders are phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder. GAD is distinct from phobias in that your fears are not connected to specific objects or circumstances and you don't have the particular, irrational thoughts that are associated with phobias.
If you are experiencing symptoms of GAD or GAD-related symptoms, consult your doctor. A physical exam and a questionnaire can reveal if there is a medical condition that may be the cause of your symptoms, such as thyroid issues or an adrenal gland that is overactive. A mental health specialist can also recommend relaxation techniques or other methods to manage symptoms.
Your doctor may suggest that you keep a sleep diary for a week to record your wake-up and sleep times and sleep latency patterns and other information. A sleep study could be recommended if you have symptoms that suggest a underlying sleep disorder, like sleep apnea with obstruction.
You can also try relaxation techniques, such as meditation, progressive muscle relaxation and breathing exercises. Some doctors offer cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia (CBTI), which is an approach to teach you how to sleep and relax. The treatment can last from 6-8 weeks. CBT-I is offered by a variety of healthcare professionals including psychologists and nurses. You can also rest better by avoiding physical activities about 5-6 hours prior to bedtime, and limiting your consumption of alcohol or caffeine.