All of us feel stress and anxiety in our daily lives. It's completely natural. But when anxiety is persistent and debilitating, it could be a sign of a mental illness known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This disorder is marked by excessive worry that's caused by nothing at all. You obsess over 'what if' scenarios and your fear won't leave you alone.
Is It Normal or GAD?
There are several ways to know whether your anxiety is normal or a sign of generalized anxiety disorder:
Generalized anxiety disorder can set in at any time, but it's most likely to in childhood or adolescence. Most people who suffer from this disorder start experiencing symptoms early in life. However, it's possible for it to begin in adulthood as well. Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from GAD, as well as those who have it in their family.
No one knows exactly what causes GAD, but it's believed that it's related to brain chemistry. Generalized anxiety disorder is closely related to other anxiety disorders such as phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder.
Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Treatment starts with a diagnosis by a trained therapist. If you believe you may suffer from this disorder, talk to your doctor immediately so that you can start treatment. As a general guideline, if you've suffered from excessive worry for six straight months or more, you're at risk for the disorder.
There are therapeutic and medical treatments for generalized anxiety disorder. Medications are most often used for severe cases or those where the symptoms need to be stopped immediately. Therapy focuses on several key areas:
Understanding Your Worry. Therapists use cognitive-behavioral therapy to help you understand your worry better. You can then use the techniques they teach you to reprogram your thinking. You basically learn to dispel the irrational thoughts that are causing your anxiety.
Relaxation Techniques. You can learn relaxation techniques to stop the symptoms when you feel them coming on. These techniques allow you to calm down quickly. They're especially helpful for people who suffer from panic attacks.
Interpersonal Therapy. Group therapy is often a part of treating GAD. In group, you share experiences with others and this gives you perspective on your own thinking patterns. You also benefit from relating socially to others and receiving their support.
If you suffer from excessive anxiety and it's interfering with various areas of your life, you can get help. Talk to your doctor and start treatment as soon as possible so that you can get on with your life.
Is It Normal or GAD?
There are several ways to know whether your anxiety is normal or a sign of generalized anxiety disorder:
- There is no reason for your worrying, or you worry about things that could happen but haven't already.
- Your worry is constant and never seems to leave you alone.
- You're restless, edgy and irritable. You may find yourself easily startled.
- You have physical symptoms like headaches, sweating, and nausea.
- You constantly feel like you have to go to the bathroom.
- You feel tired and drained much of the time.
- Your worry affects other areas of your life negatively.
Generalized anxiety disorder can set in at any time, but it's most likely to in childhood or adolescence. Most people who suffer from this disorder start experiencing symptoms early in life. However, it's possible for it to begin in adulthood as well. Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from GAD, as well as those who have it in their family.
No one knows exactly what causes GAD, but it's believed that it's related to brain chemistry. Generalized anxiety disorder is closely related to other anxiety disorders such as phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder.
Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Treatment starts with a diagnosis by a trained therapist. If you believe you may suffer from this disorder, talk to your doctor immediately so that you can start treatment. As a general guideline, if you've suffered from excessive worry for six straight months or more, you're at risk for the disorder.
There are therapeutic and medical treatments for generalized anxiety disorder. Medications are most often used for severe cases or those where the symptoms need to be stopped immediately. Therapy focuses on several key areas:
Understanding Your Worry. Therapists use cognitive-behavioral therapy to help you understand your worry better. You can then use the techniques they teach you to reprogram your thinking. You basically learn to dispel the irrational thoughts that are causing your anxiety.
Relaxation Techniques. You can learn relaxation techniques to stop the symptoms when you feel them coming on. These techniques allow you to calm down quickly. They're especially helpful for people who suffer from panic attacks.
Interpersonal Therapy. Group therapy is often a part of treating GAD. In group, you share experiences with others and this gives you perspective on your own thinking patterns. You also benefit from relating socially to others and receiving their support.
If you suffer from excessive anxiety and it's interfering with various areas of your life, you can get help. Talk to your doctor and start treatment as soon as possible so that you can get on with your life.
To read more about common types of mental illness visit my site http://www.mentalillnesstest.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment