Thursday 14 January 2016

By Anna Lee


Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the forms of anxiety disorder where affected individuals worry too much. It is often abbreviated as GAD. Its characteristics are excessive, uncontrollable, and often irrational worrying usually over usual matters in life. The individuals spend a lot of time worried, which interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. To avoid further deterioration of quality of life, it needs to be managed quickly. When in need of an expert in generalized anxiety disorder northwest Indiana should be given priority.

People suffering from GAD often anticipate disaster in daily issues. Some of the issues that concern them include family problems, interpersonal relationship problems, work difficulties, friendship problems, death, money, and health issues. The individuals worry uncontrollably even if the issue is not as big as they imagine. Some often worry without a reason. They simply cannot stay calm.

The condition is associated with a multitude of symptoms. The symptoms distinguish it from other form of anxiety. The most frequently observed symptoms are twitching, headaches, fidgeting, muscle tension, numbness in feet and hands, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, irritability, fatigue, stomach pain, and difficulty swallowing. Additional symptoms are insomnia, bouts of breathing difficulty, restlessness, hot flashes, rashes, sweating, agitation, excessive stomach acid buildup, trembling, and difficulty concentrating.

For symptoms experienced to qualify the problem as GAD, they must be consistent and persistent for at least six months. Although one may not experience all the symptoms, most of them are usually observed. In any given year, research has found that over 6.8 million Americans experience this condition. The condition has been labeled the major cause of disability in American workplaces.

There are several factors that cause GAD. The first on that list is genetic makeup. Life stressors easily make people with genetic predisposition of GAD to become anxious. Therefore, the condition exists in some families, causing members to be more vulnerable to GAD.

GAD can also be induced by substance abuse. Benzodiazepines is one example of a substance that when used for long, can induce the condition. Alcohol has also been found to induce anxiousness disorder in people. Abstinence from alcohol and reduction in amount of benzodiazepines one consumes can lessen symptoms a lot. However, it may take over two years of abstinence from alcohol for one to return to their normal well-being.

According to statistical findings, men are less affected by GAD than women. The number of affected women is twice that of men. Combating mental disorders such as GAD has been determined to be better off if done through prevention. Therefore, GAD is prevented by avoiding caffeine and chances of its occurrence are decreased in people who avoid nicotine.

Clinical diagnosis is usually done through two major criteria developed by the American Psychiatric Association, APA. The two criteria are DSM-5 and ICD-10. There are several approaches to treatment including medications such as SSRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT. Both approaches have shown to be effective independently, but they are better when combined.




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