Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Worry makes the world go round…Sia
Don’t worry? Easier said than done!
Some people are walking bunch of raw nerves. They worry about the important and the trivial. Then they worry about being worried.
People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) may be overly concerned about money, health, family, work, or other issues. Sometimes just the thought of getting through the day produces anxiety. When they’re not worrying about themselves, they feel intense worry about the safety of their loved ones. Everyone knows their worries are often unwarranted — and deep down, so do they, but therein lies the problem. You may know someone like that. Maybe that someone is you.
Are you the type to anticipate disaster and expect the worst even when there is no apparent reason for concern? Do you feel this constant battle inside of you — even when your worries don’t completely consume you, you still feel anxious for no apparent reason?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, in any given year. Women are twice as likely to be affected. It’s most likely to happen sometime between childhood and middle age. The disorder comes on gradually, ever so stealthily that you might find it hard to tell precisely when it started, and then it becomes so rooted in your identity that people often assume you were that way from birth.
People with GAD don’t know how to stop the worry cycle and feel it is beyond their control. All anxiety disorders may relate to a difficulty tolerating uncertainty and therefore many people with GAD try to plan or control situations. Since they feel that a shoe is always about to drop, they view it as risky to give up worry.
GAD is diagnosed when a person finds it difficult to control worry most days for at least six months. In addition to excessive worry and feeling of apprehension, they struggle with physical symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, muscle and psychic tension, causing significant distress and impairment in everyday life. This differentiates GAD from worry that may be specific to a set stressor or for a more limited period of time.
Causes
Although the exact cause of GAD is unknown, there is evidence that biological factors, family background, and life experiences, particularly stressful ones, play a role.
Genetics. Generalized anxiety disorder may run in families, but it’s not understood why some people get it and others don’t. Researchers have shown that the areas of the brain that control fear and anxiety are involved.
Personality. Some people tend to be overly cautious, negative or generally avoid anything dangerous, thus they may be more prone to generalized anxiety disorder than others are. GAD can develop in people who find it difficult to cope with internal stress.
Experiences. From a temperament that is already overly cautious, even moderately traumatic experiences can spell doom. People with generalized anxiety disorder may have a history of significant life changes, traumatic or negative experiences during childhood, or a recent traumatic or negative event.
The symptoms of Generalized Anxiety can happen as a side effect of a medicine or substance use. It can also be related to medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, that increase hormones. This can make the body response more excitable. GAD can be triggered by family or environmental stress as well as chronic illness.
Symptoms
- Persistent worrying or anxiety about a number of areas that are out of proportion to the importance and/or urgency of any given circumstance
- Overthinking plans and solutions to all possible worst-case outcomes
- Perceiving situations and events as threatening, even when they aren’t
- Difficulty handling uncertainty
- Indecisiveness and fear of making the wrong decision
- Inability to relax, feeling restless, and feeling on edge
- Difficulty concentrating, and the resultant frustration of forgetfulness or your mind often “going blank”
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Being easily startled
Physical signs and symptoms may include:
- Muscle tension or muscle aches
- Trembling, feeling twitchy
- Sweating
- Nausea, diarrhea or urinating often
- Irritability
- Hot flashes
- Lightheadedness
- Trouble breathing
- Lump in the throat
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Complications
Having generalized anxiety disorder can be disabling. It can:
- Render you unable to perform tasks quickly and efficiently because you have trouble concentrating
- Take your time and focus from other activities
- Sap your energy
- Increase your risk of depression
Generalized anxiety disorder can also lead to or worsen other 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 that can become chronic
· Heart related conditions
Treatment
Treatment approach often incorporates one or more of:
- Medication
- Therapy
- Relaxation techniques
- Making lifestyle changes to reduce stress and avoid stimulating substances. Also, seek help with quitting smoking, drug or alcohol use.
Psychotherapy for GAD
Psychotherapy takes place with a trained, licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. It is the mainstay of treatment and is offered alongside medication or instead of it in those who prefer not to take medication. It can provide support, education and guidance to you and/or your family to help you function better and increase your well-being.
One of the most common forms of therapy used to treat GAD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). During CBT, the mental health professional helps you take a close look at your thoughts and emotions. You’ll come to understand how your thoughts and excessive worrying affect your actions. Therefore, you can unlearn negative or worrying thoughts and behaviors and learn to adopt healthier thinking patterns and habits. It will require effort and patience on your part, but ultimately, it’s worth it.
How can I take care of myself if I have generalized anxiety disorder?
Aside from getting medical treatment, there are some things you can do to help manage the condition, including:
Practicing a healthy lifestyle: implementing certain healthy choices in daily life, such as reducing caffeine intake and getting enough sleep, can reduce anxiety symptoms when paired with medical treatment.
Practicing stress management techniques: Exercise, mindfulness and meditation can reduce anxiety symptoms and enhance the effects of psychotherapy.
Avoiding substance use and alcohol: Using drugs and drinking alcohol can make your anxiety symptoms worse and may interfere with the medications you’re taking to treat anxiety.
Joining a self-help or support group: linking up with others who have similar experiences and sharing your challenges and achievements may help you feel less alone. It’s important to remember that you should use any advice you receive from a support group cautiously, and it doesn’t replace treatment recommendations from your mental health team.
Do you or someone you know struggle with these problems? Do not despair; help is available. Get in touch with me via email or WhatsApp today and we can determine the best treatment for you.
