How Anxiety Disorder Has Transformed My Life The Better

What is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

GAD is a long-lasting problem that causes excessive anxiety and irrational concerns. People with GAD worry about a variety of things, including family, finances, health and work. The worries are centered on the future, and are unlikely to be a reality.

GAD is not well understood, but genetics and brain problems may be involved. Treatment includes medicine and therapy for talk.

Symptoms

Anxiety is the natural reaction to stress. However, when it becomes persistent or severe it can cause disruption to everyday activities. It can trigger headaches, nausea, or tension in the muscles. It can also cause issues like difficulty working or studying and issues with relationships and socializing. Anxiety disorders can be treated in a variety of ways. Psychotherapy and medication are two options.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by irrational and excessive anxiety. People with GAD worry often about everyday issues, such as health, money, family, work and the future. They feel constantly in danger even when there is no reason to be concerned. The fear can last for a long time, and appear to pop up out of thin air.

People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) have a fearful attitude of interacting with other people particularly in a group or one-onone. They fear that they might make a mistake or say something embarrassing or stupid. Symptoms may include sweating, shaking and heart palpitations. SAD sufferers may be unable to socialize or avoid it, which can negatively affect their social life and work performance.

There are many treatments for  anxiety disorder s, and a majority of people respond well to them. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help people overcome their negative attitudes and behaviors that are the cause of anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of therapy that involves talking. It assists people to recognize and correct distorted thoughts that trigger anxiety and panic attacks. It also teaches patients how to deal with stressful situations and deal with them.

Medicines can ease some of the physical symptoms, including stomach upset and dizziness. They can also aid people who suffer from anxiety to sleep better and feel more relaxed. Antidepressants, like SSRIs (escitalopram, Lexapro) or SNRIs (fluoxetine, Prozac), are commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders. Antidepressants, such as tricyclics or monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs) are also prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders.

It is important to continue treatment for anxiety disorders. Stopping medication suddenly can worsen symptoms. Some over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements can aggravate anxiety, which is why it's important to talk with a health care provider prior to taking these supplements.

Treatment

If your worries are interfering in your daily routine, and causing you to feel unhappy consult your physician. Your doctor will ask questions and may refer you to a mental health professional to diagnose and treat.

It is unclear what causes anxiety disorders, but certain life events or traumatic experiences can increase the likelihood of developing these disorders. People with genetic predisposition are also susceptible to developing anxiety disorders. Your doctor can assess the severity of symptoms by using various tests and screening tools. The GAD-7 scale, which was created by Drs. Spitzer, Williams Monahan and Kroenke are self-reporting tools that are useful to diagnose GAD.

If they are taken regularly, medications can reduce anxiety, specifically when taken in accordance with the prescribed dosage. Antidepressants, which are frequently prescribed to treat anxiety disorders are among the most effective medications available. They can be found in both prescription and over the counter forms. Antidepressants are usually avoided by those who are afraid of becoming dependent on them. However, unlike sleeping pills, sedatives, and painkillers, antidepressants do not cause dependence.

Psychotherapy is another option to treat anxiety. Sometimes referred to as talk therapy, this form of treatment can help you learn methods to manage your symptoms and keep them from becoming worse. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy which helps people to overcome their fearful and negative habits and thoughts. CBT has shown to be just as effective as medications for anxiety in a few studies.

Other forms of psychotherapy include mindfulness training and acceptance-commitment therapy (ACT) or interpersonal therapy. Although research isn't complete on these therapies, they may offer an alternative method of managing anxiety and are worth a look.

Lifestyle changes can also 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 your family and friends, take up something new or join an anxiety support group.

Diagnosis

Every person experiences anxiety at times particularly when facing the biggest challenge, like a job interview. However, GAD is different because people who suffer from it are constantly anxious and not just a small portion of the time. They also have difficulty controlling their anxiety, and tend to anticipate the worst in a range of situations in everyday life. They could be triggered by issues with money, health, issues in the family, work or school performance. The worry can float from one problem to the next and last for months, or even years.

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

GAD is not diagnosed through laboratory tests, but your doctor will examine your blood pressure and thyroid function. They will also inquire about your daily routine and examine your anxiety history. You could be more vulnerable to anxiety disorders when you have an anxiety disorder history in your family or if you experienced a traumatic childhood experience. Certain drugs and substances can increase the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder.

GAD is more common for women than males, and usually starts around age 30, but it can develop at any time in life. It is a chronic condition which can be treated with medication and psychotherapy. Treatment options could include one or both of these therapies. Medication can help with anxiety and physical symptoms such as tension in muscles and headaches. Psychotherapy can help you learn to change the negative thoughts that contribute to your anxiety and help you deal with stress in a healthier way. You can also try relaxation techniques, like yoga or meditation to manage your anxiety and lessen the symptoms. Activities that aid people in focusing their minds can also help to reduce anxiety.

Prevention

Talk therapy and medications can be helpful for people who suffer from anxiety disorders. Certain people employ relaxation techniques, diets and exercises and other lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. Therapy for anxiety helps people identify and overcome negative thoughts that trigger anxiety. These therapies may include cognitive behavior therapy, in which individuals learn to change their thinking patterns, and exposure therapy, which focuses on confronting fears one at a. In the short term, medication are used to alleviate symptoms. Therapy is the primarystay.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is defined by constant and excessive feelings of anxiety or dread over a variety of things. These feelings are difficult to control and usually last longer than six months. GAD sufferers might not be able to pinpoint the cause of their anxiety and are unable to determine what's the issue. Health, money family and friends or other everyday activities are common worries. They are worried about "what-ifs" like their children getting into trouble or their home burning down.

Anxiety can affect daily tasks like school and work. It can lead to sleep issues as well as aches and pains. It can also increase the chance of having other mental health issues, such as depression. It can also affect relationships and a person's quality of life.

Certain factors increase the risk of anxiety disorders. These are known as risk factors. These include a family history of anxiety disorders as well as a history with other mental health issues. Childhood abuse physical and emotional, can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders later in life. Certain medical conditions like heart disease or lung disease can also trigger anxiety. These are often the first symptoms of a problem. Certain medications can cause anxiety as an adverse effect.

Some herbal supplements and prescription medicines can also cause anxiety, so it is recommended to consult a doctor before using them. Drug and alcohol abuse and nicotine can make the symptoms worse.