Generalized anxiety disorder

Head | Psychiatry | Generalized anxiety disorder (Disease)


Description

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) causes its sufferers chronic and exaggerated worry and tension that seem to have no substantial cause. People with generalized anxiety disorder often worry excessively about health, money, family, or work, and continually anticipate disaster.

Although GAD may be accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or another anxiety disorder, impairment is usually mild, except in severe cases. Generally, people with this disorder do not: feel too restricted in social settings; feel too restricted on the job; avoid certain situations.

The following are the most common symptoms of GAD. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

(1) Trouble falling or staying asleep

(2) Trembling

(3) Twhiching

(4) Muscle tension

(5) Headaches

(6) Irritability

(7) Sweating

(8) Hot flashes

(9) Lightheadedness and/or difficulty breathing etc.

Causes and Risk factors

Anxiety disorders are common mental health problems that affect many people.

Approximately 25 per cent of the population have an anxiety disorder that warrants treatment at some time in their life and up to another 25 per cent have less severe anxieties such as fears of spider and snakes.

Some research suggests that GAD may run in families, and it may also grow worse during stress. GAD usually begins at an earlier age and symptoms may manifest themselves more slowly than in most other anxiety disorders.

People with this disorder usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants, but cannot rid themselves of these irrational concerns.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Treatments for GAD include medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy. ...