Introduction:
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can be defined as anxiety and worry about several events and activities for an extended period of days. The anxiety and worry of GAD differ from normal anxiety by its excessiveness, the difficulty of controlling it, and its interference with our routine daily life. The onset of GAD can be primary (without any apparent cause) or secondary to thyroid problems, drug abuse, or cardiovascular diseases.
Generalized anxiety disorder is much more common in women than in men. The age of onset is often difficult to calculate, as most patients typically report a history of excessive worry throughout their lives.
What Are the Common Causes of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Generalized anxiety disorders are similar to other forms of mental illness. The specific cause of generalized anxiety disorder is still not known. However, it is considered that a combination of the following factors can contribute to this condition:
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Long-term exposure to stressful events.
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Severe or long-term stress can change the chemical balance that controls the mood. Experiencing stress for a prolonged period can lead to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
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Genetics: Anxiety disorders can run in families.
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Differences in brain chemistry and function.
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Differences in the way how threats are perceived.
What Is the Prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Generalized anxiety disorder is prevalent, impacting approximately three percent of the adult population. In childhood, anxiety affects around 25 % of children between the ages of 13 and 18 at some point. Nevertheless, the lifetime occurrence of severe anxiety disorders among children aged 13 to 18 is approximately six percent.
What Are the Risk Factors for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Generalized anxiety disorder is diagnosed with slightly greater frequency in women compared to men. The subsequent elements could elevate the likelihood of experiencing generalized anxiety disorder:
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Personality traits such as timidity, negativity, or a tendency to avoid perceived risks may render an individual more susceptible to generalized anxiety disorder than those with different dispositions.
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Genetics play a role, as generalized anxiety disorder tends to be hereditary within families.
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Past experiences contribute, as individuals with generalized anxiety disorder often have a background marked by substantial life alterations, traumatic or adverse childhood events, or recent negative occurrences. Additionally, the presence of chronic medical conditions or other mental health issues may heighten the risk.
What Are the Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Physical complaints can be prominent, and patients could have symptoms of motor tension, tremors, palpitation, giddiness, fearfulness, weakness, and headaches. Patients with autonomic hyperactivity can have gastrointestinal, pulmonary, or cardiovascular complaints, whereas patients with cognitive vigilance are often irritable and easily frazzled.
Psychosocial symptoms include:
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Difficulty handling uncertainty.
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Feeling restless.
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Indecisiveness.
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Fear of making wrong decisions.
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Difficulty concentrating.
Some of the physical signs of a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) include:
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Weakness.
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Irritability.
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Muscle ache.
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Nervousness.
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Sweating.
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Trouble sleeping.
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Nausea and vomiting.
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Trembling.
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Rapid heart rate.
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Numbness in different parts of the body.
Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) a Chronic Condition?
The course of GAD is variable. It is usually regarded as a chronic condition that worsens with life stressors like the occurrence of negative life events.
What Other Mental Health Disorders Commonly Occur with Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Approximately 50 to 90 % of patients with a generalized anxiety disorder(GAD) have an associated mental disorder such as depressive disorder, panic disorder, and dysthymic disorder.
Research shows that the onset of GAD typically occurs before the onset of depression and that depression may result secondary to the chronic stress of GAD. The other mental health disorders associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are the following:
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
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Suicidal thoughts.
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Substance abuse.
How Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder Diagnosed?
A physical examination and a mental health screening diagnose generalized anxiety disorder. During a physical examination, the doctor looks for the signs of anxiety. The doctor further questions about the medical history to check if any underlying condition or certain medications are linked to the condition. If in case the doctor suspects an underlying medical condition or any substance abuse, then a few tests like blood tests, urine tests, gastric reflux tests, and stress tests may be recommended.
How Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treated?
Even though generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common psychiatric illness, only one-third of patients seek treatment for it. Others seek help for somatic symptoms of this illness from various other physicians, such as cardiologists, internists, and gastroenterologists. The treatment depends on how this anxiety disorder affects the ability to perform daily functions.
Treatment for generalized anxiety disorder includes:
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Psychotherapy.
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Medications.
Psychotherapy:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one effective form of psychotherapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on educating the individual on how to manage worries and fear and also helps to gradually return to normal activities.
Medications:
Medications usually prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder are the following:
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Antidepressants.
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Buspirone.
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Benzodiazepines.
What Are Some of the Complications of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Some of the complications of a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are:
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It impairs the ability to perform day-to-day activities quickly and productively.
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It's hard to focus on something.
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Difficulty concentrating.
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It increases the risk of depression.
Generalized anxiety disorder can worsen other physical conditions like:
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Sleep problems.
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Headaches and migraines.
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Digestive problems.
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Issues related to the heart.
How to Prevent Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
There is no specific way to determine when and how generalized anxiety disorder will affect a person. However, there are some ways that a person can follow to reduce the impact of the symptoms of anxiety disorder.
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Ask for help. There are so many helplines available to help the person out with this condition.
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Keep track of the daily routine activities to determine what is causing the stress. By keeping track, they can find ways to relieve stress.
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Try to manage time and energy. This is one way a person can reduce the anxiety level. Prioritize the issues in their life.
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Avoid unhealthy practices like drug abuse, alcohol consumption, use of nicotine or caffeine, etc. If the person is not able to stop the habit on their own, find a treatment program or support group to help them out with this habit.
What Are the Lifestyle Changes Needed to Manage Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Some lifestyle modifications that can help manage this condition better include:
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Keep physically active. Exercise is the best stress reliever.
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Prioritize the sleep. Proper and adequate sleep can improve the condition by reducing stress.
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Perform some relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, etc.
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Eat a healthy diet.
Conclusion:
Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental condition characterized by excessive fear and worry. Taking medications as directed and practicing the skills learned in psychotherapy can help to improve the condition. Consistency makes a big difference when managing this condition.