[email protected] – https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-disorders

What is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?GAD is a long-lasting problem with a high level of anxiety and irrational worries. People with GAD worry about a wide range of things including finances, health, family and work. The main concern is the future, and seems unlikely to happen.It isn’t known what causes GAD however, genes and problems with specific areas of the brain may be involved. Medicine and talk therapy are used in the treatment of GAD.SymptomsAnxiety is a natural response to stress, but if it becomes severe and constant, it can interfere with everyday activities. It can trigger headaches and muscle tension, as well as nausea. It can also cause issues such as difficulty in concentrating at work or school as well as difficulties in relationships and socializing. There are several different treatments that can help with anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy as well as medications.Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental disorder characterized by excessive and irrational worry. People suffering from GAD worry about every day issues like their finances, health and family, work, and the future. They believe that they’re constantly under threat, even when there’s no reason for them to be worried. The fear can last for a long while and seem to appear out of thin air.Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is a condition that causes people to be afraid to interact with others particularly in a small group or one-on-1. They fear that they’ll make a mistake that might make them look foolish or make them appear foolish. The fear of being embarrassed, shaking, and heart palpitations are possible signs. People suffering from SAD tend to avoid or limit their social activities that can affect their job performance and social life.There are many treatments for anxiety disorders, and the majority of people respond well to them. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help people overcome their negative attitudes and behaviors that are the cause of anxiety. One type of talk therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. It assists patients to recognize and correct negative thoughts that cause panic attacks and anxiety. It also teaches the patient how to handle fearful situations.Certain physical symptoms, like nausea and dizziness can be cured by medicines. They can also help anxiety sufferers sleep better and relax. Antidepressants such as SSRIs, Lexapro, Escitalopram or SNRIs, fluoxetine, Prozac, are often prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants, like tricyclics and monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) that work differently and are less effective but can be used in conjunction with other medicines to combat anxiety.It is essential to keep taking medication for anxiety disorders. Stopping medications abruptly can aggravate symptoms. Certain prescription medications and herbal supplements may aggravate anxiety, so it’s recommended to talk to your doctor prior to taking any of them.TreatmentWhen you feel anxious, it is normal, if you feel that your worries are affecting your day-to-day life and making you feel unhappy, see your doctor. Your doctor will ask questions and may refer you to a mental health specialist to diagnose and treat.It is not known what causes anxiety disorders however certain life events or traumatic experiences can increase the risk of developing these disorders. They also occur in people who are genetically susceptible to them. Your doctor can determine the severity of the symptoms using various tests and screening tools. The GAD-7 scale, which was created by Drs. Spitzer, Williams, Monahan and Kroenke, is a self-report tool which can be helpful in diagnosing GAD.If they are taken regularly, medications can reduce anxiety, particularly when taken in accordance with the prescribed dosage. Antidepressants are among the most effective medications to treat anxiety disorder. They can be found in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. Antidepressants are frequently avoided by those who fear becoming dependent on them. However, unlike sleeping pills, painkillers and sedatives antidepressants do not cause dependence.Psychotherapy is another option for treating anxiety. This kind of treatment, often referred to as talk therapy, can teach you how to manage your anxiety-related symptoms and avoid their worsening. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-known type of psychotherapy that helps individuals recognize negative and fearful thoughts and behaviors and change them. CBT has been shown to be just as effective as medications for anxiety in some studies.Other types of psychotherapy include mindfulness training, acceptance-commitment therapy (ACT), or interpersonal therapy. While some research is lacking on these therapies, they may offer an alternative method of treating anxiety and can be worth a try.Lifestyle changes can also aid. Regular exercise can boost mood and reduce anxiety, and a healthy diet can lessen the effects of stress on the body. Spend Iam Psychiatry with your family and friends or engage in a pastime or join a support group for people with anxiety.DiagnosisEveryone feels anxiety at times, especially when facing major challenges like a job interview or a medical test. GAD is different because the person with it feels anxious all the times, not just sometimes. They also have difficulty controlling their anxiety and believe that the worst is coming about in a range of everyday life problems. These include health, money problems, family issues, school or work performance. The worry can float from one problem to the next and be present for months or years.Doctors diagnose anxiety disorders based on a person’s symptoms and how they affect the person’s daily life. They will ask about your past health and run tests to see if you have any physical causes for your symptoms, such as thyroid disease or heart disease. They will also look for other mental illnesses like depression.There aren’t any lab tests for GAD, but your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure, thyroid function and heart rate. They will also ask questions about your lifestyle and look at your history of anxiety. If you have a family history of anxiety disorders or if you’ve had an experience that was traumatic in your childhood, this could increase your chances of develop anxiety disorders. Some medications and substances can also increase your risk for developing an anxiety disorder.GAD is more prevalent among women than men. It typically begins around the age of thirty but it can happen at any time. It is a chronic disease which can be treated with psychotherapy and medication. Treatment options may include one or both of these therapies. The use of medication can ease anxiety and physical symptoms, such as tension and headaches. Psychotherapy can help you learn to change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety and help you manage stress in a healthier manner. You can also employ relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga to ease your anxiety symptoms. Activities that help people focus their minds can also help to reduce anxiety.The following is a list of preventatives.People who have anxiety disorders often get relief from medication and talk therapy. Some people utilize relaxation methods, diets, exercises, and other lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. Talk therapies teach people to identify and challenge negative thoughts that fuel their anxiety. They may also include cognitive behavior therapy, where individuals learn to change their thinking patterns, and exposure therapy, which is the process of confronting fears one at a time. The use of medication can treat symptoms for a short time, while therapy is the primary method of treatment.Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterised by frequent and excessive feelings of anxiety or dread about many different things. It’s hard to manage these feelings, and they can be expected to last for more than 6 months. The people suffering from GAD may have a hard to articulate what they are concerned about, and their concerns usually don’t have a specific cause. Common concerns are money, health, family and friends working, and other activities that are part of their day. They fret about “what-ifs” such as their children getting in trouble or their home burning down.In addition to creating stress, anxiety can hinder the ability of an individual to complete daily tasks, like school or work. It can lead to sleep issues as well as aches and pains. It can also increase a person’s risk for having other mental health issues like depression. It can also impact the relationships of a person and their the quality of their life.Certain factors can make someone more likely to develop anxiety disorders. These are known as risk factors. They can be triggered by having the presence of mental health issues and having a family member with an anxiety disorder. Physical and emotional abuse during childhood can raise the chances of developing an anxiety disorder later in life. Certain medical conditions like heart disease or lung disease can also trigger anxiety. These are often the first signs of an issue. As a side effect, certain medications can cause anxiety.Some herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications can also increase anxiety, so people should consult a physician prior to using these products. Alcohol, nicotine and abuse of drugs can make the symptoms worse.