Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It is estimated to affect some 6.8 million adults in the United States alone. Generalized anxiety disorder is considered to be a chronic disorder, or one that has a long period of symptoms. It is defined as a pattern of frequent and constant worry and anxiety over a variety of activities and events.
GAD
Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
With GAD, the symptoms can often vary from one patient to the next and even from one day to the next. The hallmark symptom of this condition is a nearly constant feeling of worry or tension, even in the absence of a cause that would explain the concern. Most people with this condition report that they have felt anxiety for as long as they can remember. Anxiety often occurs regarding everyday things and can also include a sudden feeling that something bad may happen or that someone you know may suddenly be in danger.
For many people with GAD, worry and anxiety can go from one problem to another. A patient may be suddenly worried about romantic or family relationships one day, but be anxious or afraid of perceived health problems or job concerns the next. These worries are almost always groundless or the severity of anxiety is much larger than the actual threat of the problem at hand.
Common symptoms of GAD include trouble concentrating, fatigue, and irritability. Difficulty sleeping is also common, including both problems falling or staying asleep. Because of anxiety, many people wake feeling as though they have not rested. A sense of restlessness, excessive energy, a sensation of being edgy or keyed up, and an exaggerated startle response are all common with GAD. Physical symptoms such as muscle tremors, tension, headaches, and shakiness are also quite common with this disorder. A rapid heartbeat, irritability, teeth grinding, depression, trouble concentrating, and muscle aches are also very common symptoms for people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
What Causes Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
GAD is incredibly common, but there is no singular cause. Research shows that heredity and life experience play a role, as well as brain chemistry. Prolonged exposure to stress, learned behaviors, and certain life events may all play a role. The disease is diagnosed more frequently in women, though this does not necessarily mean that it occurs more often in women, due to the number of males who are reluctant to seek treatment for symptoms. Studies also show that people with certain personality types and personality disorders are more likely to develop GAD, as well as people with a history of substance use, including caffeine and nicotine.
Studies also show that certain other emotional issues may also play a role in the likelihood of developing generalized anxiety disorder. Depression, phobias, and panic disorder all increase the likelihood of developing this condition. People who have direct relatives with the disorder are about twenty percent more likely to develop it, while people with relatives who have depression have about a ten percent greater chance of developing generalized anxiety disorder than the average person.
Common Treatments and Remedies
For many people with generalized anxiety disorder, the condition can last for years or even be lifelong. There is no specific cure for anxiety disorders, and treatment is often about symptom prevention and management. Behavioral therapy can be incredibly beneficial when it comes to GAD, even when it is unable to resolve the condition completely.
woman seeks GAD help
Talk therapy is an important part of treatment for GAD. Many patients find that talking through various symptoms can help highlight patterns of irrational behavior and thought. Talk therapy can also help patients find underlying issues and events that can create triggers for anxiety symptoms.
Behavioral therapy can offer many benefits as well. Through this form of therapy, patients can learn how to recognize distorted thoughts and thought patterns as well as unrealistic reactions to stress. It is also possible to learn when panic inducing thought patterns are starting, which can help decrease physical and emotional reactions.
Another very popular form of treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder is what is known as relaxation therapy. There are a number of ways to accomplish this, including progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery. While long term relaxation is important, such as that which can be attained through a yoga class, many practitioners also work to help create cues that can promote a sense of instant relaxation that can be used when signs of anxiety first start to develop. Biofeedback techniques can be used to help stop the body from entering into the fight or flight state, which stops anxiety and panic immediately as the body realizes that there is no danger or crisis.
One thing that can make treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder more difficult is that the condition often occurs in conjunction with another condition, such as depression, substance abuse, or even other anxiety disorders. In order for GAD treatment to be effective, it is important to also treat any concurrent or underlying conditions as well.
Summary
Generalized anxiety disorder is a common disorder and a very different diagnosis than other anxiety issues. Understanding GAD is important for patients, as is ruling out other causes and disorders. With the right understanding, treatment becomes easier.
Activity: Could I Have Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
This brief activity is designed to help you determine if you might have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. While not intended as a diagnostic tool, it is created to help you know if this is a condition that you may wish to discuss with your doctor.
In the last six months, have you experienced excessive anxiety about a number of events or activities more days than not?
Do you find it difficult to control these worries?
Have you had any of the following symptoms more days than not in the last six months?
- Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
- Being easily fatigued
- Difficulties concentrating or your mind going blank
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep Disturbance
If you have answered yes to the first two questions and selected at least three symptoms from question 3, it is important that you speak with your doctor about Generalized Anxiety Disorder.