Generalized
Anxiety Disorder or GAD affects about four million American
adults and about twice as many women as men. The disorder
comes on gradually and can begin across the life cycle, though
the risk is highest between childhood and middle age. It is
diagnosed when someone spends at least six months worrying
excessively about a number of everyday problems. There is
evidence that genes play a modest role in GAD.
Generalized
anxiety disorder (GAD) is much more than the normal anxiety
people experience day to day. It's chronic and fills one's
day with exaggerated worry and tension, even though there
is little or nothing to provoke it. Having this disorder means
always anticipating disaster, often worrying excessively about
health, money, family, or work. Sometimes, though, the source
of the worry is hard to pinpoint. Simply the thought of getting
through the day provokes anxiety.
People
with GAD can’t seem to shake their concerns, even though
they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than
the situation warrants. Their worries are accompanied by physical
symptoms, especially fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle
aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability,
sweating, and hot flashes. People with GAD may feel lightheaded
or out of breath. They also may feel nauseated or have to
go to the bathroom frequently.
People
with GAD seem unable to relax, and they may startle more easily
than other people. They tend to have difficulty concentrating,
too. Often, they have trouble falling or staying asleep.
Unlike
people with several other anxiety disorders, people with GAD
don't characteristically avoid certain situations as a result
of their disorder. When impairment associated with GAD is
mild, people with the disorder may be able to function in
social settings or on the job. If severe, however, GAD can
be very debilitating, making it difficult to carry out even
the most ordinary daily activities.
GAD is
commonly treated with medications, but cognitive therapy may
also be helpful. GAD rarely occurs alone, however; it is usually
accompanied by another anxiety
disorder, depression, or
substance abuse. These other conditions must be treated along
with GAD.
For more on Anxiety Disorders -- See these articles Social
Anxiety and Panic Disorder
and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Get
More Information on PureCalm for Anxiety & Panic Attacks.
