Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): It's More Than Occasional Stress and Anxiety

It is normal to experience occasional anxiety about things such as health, money, or problems in social relationships but for most people this anxiety tends to subside after a short period of time and does not significantly impact their daily lives. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is diagnosed when a person feels extremely worried, struggles controlling the worry, and it negatively impacts their life. Below is an example of how GAD impacts a person’s daily life.

Amy has suffered from anxiety most of her life. She finds it difficult for her mind to slow down because she is constantly overthinking and analyzing situations. She worries about anything and everything. She is always on edge and has difficulty relaxing. Amy’s family and friends have noticed she is more irritable lately and becomes upset about the littlest things. She recognizes she gets upset but most of the time she “goes off” because she is worried about several things and something small pushes her over the edge. Amy has recently struggled with focusing at work because her thoughts are always racing which makes it hard to for her to attend to her work. Amy’s anxiety also makes it difficult for her to fall and stay asleep because her mind doesn’t stop when it is time to go to bed. She wants to feel more control over her anxiety but does not know how to make it stop.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Facts and Symptoms

GAD affects approximately 6% of the US population at some point in their life. This condition occurs almost twice as often in females compared to males. The severity of GAD varies from mild to severe. Symptoms typically develop over a period of time and become worse without treatment. The following are symptoms of GAD:

• Worry excessively about everyday things

• Have trouble controlling their worries or feelings of nervousness

• Know that they worry much more than they should

• Feel restless and have trouble relaxing

• Struggle maintaining attention and concentration

• Have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep

• Suffer from headaches, muscle aches, stomach aches, or unexplained pains

• Feel irritable or feel “on edge”

• Exhibit physical symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, sweating, increased heart rate, and shaking

GAD also affects children and teens but their anxiety often presents differently than anxiety in adults. A child or teen with GAD may:

· Be a perfectionist

· Redo tasks because they did not do them right the first time

· Strive for approval from others

· Require excessive reassurance

· Become easily overwhelmed in performance and social situations

· Worry about catastrophes (e.g. car accidents, storms, and family members become hurt/ill)

· Insist on knowing what is happening in their daily lives

GAD is most likely caused by a variety of factors including genetics, personality, and life experiences. Those with a genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders are more likely to develop or have an increase in symptoms when experiencing stress or changes in their daily lives. GAD often occurs along with other mental health conditions which can make diagnosis and treatment more challenging. The following mental health disorders commonly occur in conjunction with GAD:

· Social Anxiety

· Panic Disorder

· Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder

· Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

· Depression

Treatment For Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD is typically diagnosed by medical doctors or a mental health professional. A diagnosis of GAD may involve medical testing to rule out physical conditions, detailed questions about your symptoms and medical history, and questionnaires to determine the severity of symptoms. Treatment consists of three approaches: medication, therapy/counseling, and practicing healthy habits. Treatment is often most effective when these treatments are combined.

· Medication - Several different medications are used to treat GAD which can be prescribed by primary physicians and psychiatrists. Antidepressants are typically used for long-term treatment of anxiety while benzodiazepines are prescribed the alleviate symptoms quickly. Benzodiazepines can be addictive and increase anxiety when used for an extended period of time so they are prescribed less frequently by physicians

· Therapy/Counseling – This is also known as talk therapy and involves working with a therapist regularly to manage symptoms. Therapy typically involves learning skills to manage symptoms and identify triggers for anxiety.

· Practicing Healthy Habits – Lifestyle changes can also be helpful in managing anxiety. Common techniques including good sleep hygiene, physical activity, journaling about anxiety, prioritizing important activities and relationships, and avoiding alcohol and substances to manage anxiety.

It is important to get appropriate treatment for GAD to get relief from symptoms and help you feel more like yourself. Gateway Behavioral Health Consultants specializes in treating anxiety disorders in teens and adults through therapy services. Dr. Ritchie will be hosting a live Q&A following this series to answer your questions about treatment for mental health disorders.

For more information about services provided at Gateway Behavioral Health Consultants, click the following link to sign up for our newsletter (https://www.gbhconsultants.com/contact) or contact us at our office via phone (314-325-2685) or email (gbhconsultants@gmail.com).

References:

Generalized anxiety disorder. (2017, October 13). Retrieved May 10, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20360803

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control. (2016). Retrieved May 10, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml