GAD – Meaning, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Tips, Lifestyle

Anxiety
Disorders affect a large population worldwide and as per the Anxiety &
Depression Association of America (ADAA), it affects millions of people in the United
States alone. It affects 5% of people in the UK and 3.1% of people in the
US. Despite this only 43.2% affected people in America are getting treatment. More women than men are affected by
anxiety. It’s more prevalent in persons aged between 35 and 59.

Anxiety disorders can broadly be defined into
five categories. 

•  Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
•  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
•  Panic Disorder
•  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
•  Social
  Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder

 Here we will be discussing Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD) in detail.

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – Meaning
and Definition

Generalized
Anxiety Disorder which is popularly referred to as GAD is an anxiety disorder
in which sufferers get persistent worry and anxiety about day-to-life
situations without no particular reason.

NHS gives a simpler definition of it that states that GAD is a long-term mental
disorder in which the sufferers get worried about several situations and
issues. The sufferer finds it hard to relax. Once he finds a solution for an
issue he starts worrying about another.

Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – Major Symptoms

How
can you get an idea that you are suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder
(GAD)? There are symptoms that talk about it.

• Worries
  that may continue up to six months
• The
  sufferer may feel restless
• Concentrating
  gets difficult
• The
  sufferer may get a headache
• Muscle
  pain
• Pain
  in the stomach for no obvious reasons
• Sleeping
  problems
• Dizziness
  
• Sweat
  in palms
• Palpitation
  in hearts
• Tiredness
  or fatigue
• Trembling
  
• Nervousness
  
• Nausea
  
• Irritable
  Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Causes
of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

It
is hard to find the causes behind Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). But there
are factors that may be cited as reasons behind it.

• Parts
  of the brain that are responsible for emotion and behavior get active.
• Imbalance
  of chemicals like serotonin and nor adrenaline that are responsible for the
  regulation of mood.
• There
  could be genetic causes for it. Persons whose parents are suffering from
  Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are more likely to get it.
• Persons
  who have gone through traumatic experiences like child abuse, domestic violence
  and other kinds of traumatic experiences have more chances to get it.
• Those
  who have suffered from long-term illness may also develop Generalized Anxiety
  Disorder (GAD).
• Persons
  with addiction for drugs and alcohol may also develop Generalized Anxiety
  Disorder (GAD).

A
GAD Patient’s Guide to Visiting a Doctor

If
you are suffering from prolonged anxiety and planning to visit a doctor, then
you should do some preparation. Here are the tips to make the most of your
visit. 

• You
  should be clear about why are you visiting a doctor.
• Make
  a list of questions you want to ask.
• You
  should bring someone close to you to tell your problems to your doctor and
  listen to what the doctor says to you.
• Your
  psychotherapist writes it down on your prescription but you should check with
  him about their diagnosis and treatment plan.
• You
  or the persons accompanying you should write down the instructions given by
  your doctor.
• If
  he prescribes a new medicine, you should ask how this medicine is going to help
  you.
• Ask
  your doctor, if there is an alternative way to treat you, even if it is costly.
  
• If
  he prescribes a test ask him how it is relevant to your treatment and how its
  outcomes can change your treatment.
• If
  he gives you another appointment, note it down and report as scheduled.
• You
  should ask how can you contact him in the case of an emergency.

Diagnosis
for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

For
diagnosis, you should visit a mental health care professional who will examine
you. He will do a deep analysis to know whether these symptoms are related to
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or indicate something else. Based on this,
he will ascertain whether you are suffering from GAD or not.

Treatments
for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects your life in a negative way. It takes a lot of
time in worrying that could’ve been used for more productive purposes. Needless
to say, sufferers and their families seek treatment. Here are the types of
treatments available.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy
is one of the most popular treatment forms for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
(GAD). In this therapy, a psychologist or psychotherapist works with sufferers
to control anxiety and reduce symptoms.

Cognitive
Behavior therapy (CBT) is one of the most popular forms of psychotherapy with
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) as its major components.

Also
Read

10
Self-Help Books on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Medication

Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can also be treated with medicines. A psychiatrist may
administer antidepressants to keep symptoms in check.  Some psychiatrists also prescribe
anti-anxiety drugs to relieve anxiety.

Self
Help

There
are informal approaches to treating GAD. These are the resources that help you
manage symptoms. There are books on Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) to
reduce the effects of this disabling mental disorder.

Apart
from the self-help books, there are electronic devices, relaxation techniques
and mindfulness exercises that can help you improve.

Lifestyle
Changes for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized
Anxiety Disorder could be disabling and it requires attention from a qualified
and experienced psychotherapist. However, you can get relief by making some
lifestyle changes.

Physical
Activity

Keep
yourself physically active and include it in your day-to-day schedule. Physical
activity is a great stress buster. It helps uplift the mood.  To begin with, you should start with a small
amount of work and scale it up.

Get
Sufficient Sleep

Absence
of sleep may worsen the situation and make your Generalized Anxiety Disorders
(GAD). You should get enough sleep. If you have a sleep disorder you should see
a doctor.

Relaxation
Techniques

Being
relaxed helps you combat Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD). You should
practice relaxation techniques that include deep breathing, meditation, yoga
and massage among others.

Good
Diet

Taking
a diet can help reduce anxiety. You should take a balanced diet that meets your
nutritional requirements. Your dietician can help you in this regard.

Say
No to Alcohol and Drugs

Intake
of alcohol and drugs may worsen your Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).  So, you should consider quitting them.

Don’t
Smoke

Smoking
has long been established as a health hazard and this habit has an adverse
effect on GAD. It is time to say goodbye to taking puffs.

Cut
Your Caffeine Intake

Intake
of caffeine may disturb your sleep cycle making you tired and sleepy. You
should consider cutting intake for better sleep quality. 

Also Read

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