Comprehensive List Of Anxiety Disorder Dos And Don'ts What is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

GAD is a chronic problem that is characterized by excessive anxiety and irrational worries. GAD can cause people to worry about many things, such as their health, finances, family, and work. The worry is centered around the future, and seems unlikely to occur.

It is unclear what causes GAD however, genes and problems with certain parts of the brain could be involved. Treatment may include medications and talk therapy.

Symptoms

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress, however when it becomes persistent and severe it can disrupt everyday activities. It can trigger headaches, nausea or tension in the muscles. It can also cause issues like a difficult time in concentrating at work or school and issues with relationships and socializing. There are many different methods that can help anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy and medication are two options.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by excessive and irrational worry. People suffering from GAD worry about everyday issues, such as their finances, health families, jobs, and the future. They feel constantly threatened even when there's no reason to worry. Worries can last a long time and then appear from nowhere.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social anxiety, is a disorder that causes people to be afraid to interact with others particularly in a small group or one-on-1. They worry that they will commit an embarrassing act or foolish. The fear of being embarrassed, shaking, and heart palpitations are all possible signs. SAD sufferers may avoid or limit social interaction that can negatively impact their social life and work performance.

Most people respond well to treatment for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help people learn to overcome negative thoughts and behaviors that cause their anxiety. One form of therapy that is used in talk therapy is cognitive behavior therapy, or CBT. It helps people identify and correct distorted thinking that triggers panic attacks and anxiety. It also teaches patients how to face fearful situations and cope with them.

Certain physical symptoms like nausea and dizziness are able to be controlled by medicines. They can also aid people who suffer from anxiety rest better and feel more relaxed. Antidepressants such as SSRIs (escitalopram, Lexapro) or SNRIs (fluoxetine, Prozac), are often prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Antidepressants like tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are also prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders.

It is important to keep taking medication for anxiety disorders. Stopping medications abruptly can aggravate symptoms. Certain prescription medications and herbal supplements may increase anxiety, so it's recommended to talk with a health care provider prior to taking them.


Treatment

While feeling anxious at times is normal, if you feel that your worries are affecting your day-to-day life and making you feel unhappy visit your doctor. Your doctor may ask you questions or recommend you to a mental health specialist for diagnosis and treatment.

It is not known what causes anxiety disorders but certain life events or traumatic experiences can increase the likelihood of developing anxiety disorders. They can also be seen in people who are genetically predisposed to these disorders. Your doctor can determine the severity of symptoms using a variety of tests and screening tools. The GAD-7 scale, developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams, Monahan and Kroenke is a self-report instrument that can be useful in diagnosing GAD.

Medicines can significantly reduce anxiety, especially if taken regularly and according to the prescribed. Antidepressants, often recommended to treat anxiety disorder, are among the most effective medications available. They can be found in both over-the-counter and prescription forms. Antidepressants are often avoided by those who fear becoming dependent on them. However unlike sleeping pills, painkillers and sedatives antidepressants do not cause dependence.

Psychotherapy is another option for treating anxiety. This kind of treatment, often referred to as talk therapy, can show you how to cope with your anxiety symptoms and prevent their worsening. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy which helps individuals to change their negative and fearful behavior and thoughts. CBT has been shown to be as effective in treating anxiety as medications in a few studies.

Other forms of psychotherapy include mindfulness as well as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and interpersonal therapy. These treatments may be effective in treating anxiety, but some research is still not conclusive.

Lifestyle changes also can help. Regular exercise programs can improve mood and decrease anxiety. A healthy diet can lessen the effects of stress on the body. Spend time with friends and family and engage in a new pastime or join a support group for those with anxiety.

Diagnosis

Everyone experiences anxiety at times particularly when facing the biggest challenge, such as a job interview. GAD is different in that the person suffering from it is anxious throughout the day and not just occasionally. They also have trouble controlling their anxiety and expect the worst about various everyday life issues. They can be related to issues with money, health, issues within the family, or school or work performance. The anxiety can be a floater between different concerns and last for many months or years.

Doctors diagnose anxiety disorders based on the symptoms and how they affect their daily lives. They will ask about your health history and conduct tests to determine whether you have any physical causes of your symptoms, such as heart disease or thyroid disease. They will also search for other mental health conditions, such as depression.

GAD is not diagnosed by lab tests, however, your doctor will examine your thyroid function and blood pressure. They will ask you about your lifestyle and look at your history of anxiety. If you have a family history of anxiety disorders or if you've experienced traumatizing experiences in your the past, it could increase your chances of develop an anxiety disorder. Certain medications and substances can also increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

GAD is more common among women than men. It usually starts around the age of thirty but it can happen at any point in life. It is a chronic condition, but it can be treated with medications and psychotherapy (talk therapy). You can decide to choose either or both of these treatments. Medications may help with both the anxiety and its physical symptoms, such as headaches, muscle tension and trembling. Psychotherapy can help you learn to shift your negative thoughts that cause anxiety and help you manage stress in a healthier way. You can also utilize relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation to reduce your anxiety symptoms. Activities that aid people in focusing their minds can also help reduce anxiety.

Prevention

People who have anxiety disorders usually find relief from medications and therapy. Some people utilize relaxation techniques, diets, exercise and other lifestyle adjustments to reduce their symptoms. Talk therapies assist people in identifying and challenge the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. They may also include cognitive behavior therapy, in which individuals learn to change their thinking patterns, as well as exposure therapy, which involves facing fears one at a time. Medications can be used to treat symptoms in the short term but therapy is the most important aspect of treatment.

Generalized generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent and exaggerated feelings of worry or fear about a myriad of things. These emotions are difficult to manage and can last for more than six months. GAD sufferers may not be able to pinpoint the cause of their anxiety, and they can't always determine what's bothering them. Health, money family and friends, work or other daily activities are typical concerns. They also have "what-if" worries about things that could happen, such as their children getting in trouble or their home burning down.

In addition to creating anxiety, anxiety can also interfere with the ability of a person to perform everyday tasks like work and school. It can cause sleep problems and aches and discomforts. It also increases the likelihood of suffering from other mental health issues, including depression. It can also impact relationships and the quality of life.

Certain factors can make someone more likely to develop anxiety disorders. These are known as risk factors. They include an ancestral history of anxiety disorders as well as the presence of other mental health problems. Physical and emotional abuse during childhood can increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder later in life. Certain medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease, or thyroid issues, can cause anxiety and can be the first sign of an issue. Certain medications can also trigger anxiety as a side effect.

Certain herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines can also worsen anxiety, which is why people should consult a physician before taking these products. Abuse of alcohol and drugs and nicotine can cause the symptoms to get worse.