Life Of Kristen

Millions of American adults suffer from generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. Over half of these are women. This condition occurs when you feel worried on a regular basis. Many daily events and activities stress people with GAD. The things that cause worry are often unimportant, but the dread and worry disrupts everyday life. Worry is a common emotion, but people with generalized anxiety disorder experience it in unhealthy doses. Many people with the disorder have physical symptoms, like headaches, that accompany the emotional symptoms.

Even though generalized anxiety disorder can occur at any age, it usually starts during childhood or teen years. Most people with the disorder remember a past of nervousness. Around five percent of people experiences GAD at some point of their lives. Many people with the disorder also have other issues like depression, other types of anxiety disorders like panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorder, or alcohol abuse problems.

The exact cause of generalized anxiety disorder is unknown. According to some studies, genetics may play a role. Further, problems like hyperthyroidism are also linked to the condition. In addition, certain kinds of medicines can cause stress or make stress worse. These include drugs with amphetamines (Ritalin). Excessive caffeine intake and the use of illegal drugs like cocaine can also cause these symptoms.

Generalized anxiety disorder affects both adults and kids. Adults with GAD worry about a plethora of issues, usually centering on finances, family, health, or profession. Children often worry about their performance in school, sports, and other activities. Besides the worry and nervousness, the condition brings about many physical symptoms, like:

A feeling of tiredness
Being scared easily
Having sleep problems
Irritability and frustration
Concentration difficulty
Feeling shaky
Sweating
Having hot flashes or chills
Headaches and body aches
Difficulty swallowing
Feeling dizzy or out of breath
Having to use the restroom often

In general, to be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, you must feel worry and stress about every day for around six months, at least. Besides the worry and stress, physical symptoms may also appear. This may make it hard for you to partake in routine activities like shopping. During the doctor visit, you need to talk about your symptoms. Be prepared to answer all kinds of questions about your emotional and physical state, as well as about your medical history and medicine use. These questions help doctors determine if you have generalized anxiety disorder and/or other types of anxiety disorders.

Generalized anxiety disorder can be treated with medication and/or therapy. Two kinds of therapy can be useful in its treatment: applied relaxation therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. The medicines that are used to treat this condition include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and buspirone. Some of these prescription drugs work better for some people than others. The treatment for GAD helps reduce symptoms of the illness. Some people might feel better after a couple months of following a treatment plan, while it may take over a year for others.