Anxiety: An Overview

GAD stands for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It is a problem accompanied by excessive worry, tension and chronic anxiety over daily life happenings even without any real cause for it. People exhibiting GAD symptoms usually think negatively, constantly expecting disaster to strike and fretting over school, money, work or family matters.

This type of concern among GAD sufferers is often unrealistic. Everyday living is turned into a nonstop opportunity for fear, dread and worry. Ultimately, the anxiety rules the individual's each waking thought to the point that it takes its toll on relationships and daily activities.

Anxiety Symptoms for GAD and More

A person's mental processes are affected by GAD. Still, this may translate into physical signs and anxiety symptoms too. The more popular ones include: unrealistic problem view, irritability, headaches, difficulty concentrating, necessity for frequent bathroom visits, hard time falling or remaining asleep, easily startled, exaggerated tension and worry, edgy or restless feelings, muscle tension, sweating, nausea, tiredness, and trembling.

Aside from the symptoms listed above, people struggling with GAD generally battle with other anxiety-related disorders like phobias, panic disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders. They also often have to deal with drug or alcohol abuse and/or depression.

Pinpointing what exactly causes GAD is still a long way off. However, several factors do contribute to GAD development: environmental stresses, genetics and brain chemistry.

• Environment - Trauma along with stressful incidents like switching schools or jobs, divorces and abuse can result in GAD or other social anxiety scenarios. Stress situations can also worsen GAD considerably. Anxiety likewise can be exacerbated by using and quitting addictive substances like nicotine, alcohol and caffeine.

• Genetics - Studies claim that someone's family history has a role in raising his or her odds for developing GAD. In short, it's possible to pass on GAD in a family.

• Brain chemistry - Irregular levels of particular brain neurotransmitters have been tied to GAD. A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger tasked with moving info within different nerve cells. Neurotransmitter imbalances can prevent messages from correctly reaching the brain and change how it responds to specific situations. This gives rise to an anxiety disorder.

Around four million adult Americans deal with GAD within any given year. It usually starts somewhere in childhood or during adolescence, however, for some it shows up in adulthood. Women are more commonly affected by social anxiety than men.

Doctors ask about a person's medical history and run a physical examination once they see the presence of GAD symptoms. While no lab tests can accurately determine anxiety disorders, medical professionals may utilize different tests to search for physical illnesses that could be behind the symptoms.

Symptom duration and intensity reports are used by doctors as bases for GAD diagnoses. From here, they decide if symptoms and level of dysfunction point to a particular anxiety disorder. If symptoms remain for six months, the problem is most likely GAD.

In the absence of a physical illness, patients are usually referred to mental health experts trained in anxiety disorder diagnosis and treatment. GAD treatment typically consists of a combo of cognitive behavioral therapy and medications. Relaxation techniques are likewise used, including biofeedback and deep breathing. These two aid in controlling the muscle tension that comes with GAD.

While anxiety disorders are not preventable, there are ways to reduce and control the symptoms. Limit or stop consumption of caffeine-rich products. Eat healthy and exercise. Performing stress management activities like meditation and yoga also help. Attend counseling and obtaining emotional support after experiencing something traumatic. Most importantly, when taking herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs, always consult with a pharmacist and physician.