GAD Continued

Treatment: Generalized Anxiety disorder is treatable.

1) Cognitive-behavioral treatment: is very effective for some people. This helps them to identify, understand, and modify thinking and behavior patterns. People diagnosed with GAD will be able to control worry. Short term treatment can last about 12 weeks.

2) Medications: There are several different kinds of medications available for GAD. Some may take up to 2 months to be fully effective. Medications are often used in addition to cognitive-behavioral treatment.

-Antidepressants influence the activity of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) which are thought to have a role in anxiety disorders. Examples of antidepressants used to treat GAD may include, Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, and Zoloft.

-Benzodiazepines are most commonly used in the treatment of GAD. This kind of medication will not necessarily decrease worrying, but will lower anxiety. Benzodiazepines are frequently used for short-term cases of anxiety and is highly effective. Long-term use of this may require increased doses to achieve the same effect.

3) Self-care: Exercise produces chemical changes which can cause the body to be calm, and easier combat anxiety. Meditation, yoga, massages, and music can all ease the disorder.

"The road to 'wellville' for me (which has been a very slow process over many months) has been a mix of many things."



Amy Gates, a mom of two living in Colorado, blogs about her experience with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. She mentions that recovering from GAD has been one of the biggest challenges she has had to face. Gates also believes that recovering from the disorder will be an on-going challenge for the rest of her life.

"The cycle of fear can be broken. Not effortlessly, not overnight, but it can be broken and there is hope."

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD: characterized by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no obvious reason for worry.

For people diagnosed with GAD, daily life becomes a constant state of worry and fear. The anxiety is so great that it interferes with daily functioning.

Symptoms of GAD can include any or all of the following:

-excessive and ongoing worry or tension

-unrealistic worry and view of problems

-cause of worry is often unknown

-apprehension

-difficulty concentrating

-irritability

-trouble sleeping

So, what causes this disorder to occur?

Although the cause of GAD is still unknown, there are many theories for why it occurs.

Genetics,  Brain Chemistry, & Environmental Factors all play a role in GAD.

 

Genetics: some researchers suggest that family history plays part in the likelihood of a person developing GAD. The tendency of the disorder may be passed on in families.

Brain Chemistry: GAD can be associated with abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. If neurotransmitters are are out of balance, messages can not get through the brain properly. This can alter the way a person's brain reacts to a situation, which may cause anxiety or GAD.

Environmental Factors: Trauma and stressful events may lead to GAD. The disorder can also become worse during a period of extreme stress.

Risk Factors of GAD:

-Females: more than 2x as many women are diagnosed with GAD than men.

-Childhood adversity: children who endure trauma/abuse are more likely to have GAD.

-Chronic Illness: such as cancer, can cause significant worry about the future.

-Personality: certain personalities are more prone to GAD than others.

-Substance Abuse: drug or alochol abuse can worsen the anxiety disorder.

Complications of GAD:

-Association with depression and/or bipolar disorder, which is common for people diagnosed with GAD. It  becomes difficult to distinguish one from the other because they have many simliar symptoms.

-Increased risk for sucicide: 18% of people with GAD attempt sucicide and 38.5% regularly have sucicidal thoughts.

-Alcoholism and Substance Abuse: some people with GAD may use alochol, smoking, or drugs to "self-medicate" for the disorder.

-Effect on School, Work, and Daily Life: studies are consistently reporting that GAD had a negative effect on work and relationships. The disorder can cause a person to be constantly tensed and apprehensive. It will often interfere with every day activities.