anxiety-disorders

What is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?GAD is a persistent issue that involves excessive anxiety and irrational worries. People suffering from GAD worry about a variety of issues, including health, money, family and work. The concerns are focused on the future and seem unlikely to occur.GAD is not fully understood, however the brain and genetics may be involved. Talk therapy and medicine are used in the treatment of GAD.Signs and symptomsAnxiety is the natural reaction to stress. However, when it becomes persistent or severe it can disrupt everyday activities. It can cause headaches or muscle tension as well as nausea. It can also lead to problems like a difficult time in concentrating at work or school and issues with relationships and socializing. There are a variety of treatments that can help with anxiety disorders. These include psychotherapy and medications.Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health disorder that is characterized by excessive, irrational worry. People with GAD worry about every day issues, such as their health, finances families, jobs and the future. They believe that they’re constantly under threat, even when there’s no reason to be concerned. Worries can last a long while and seem to appear from nowhere.Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is also referred to as social anxiety, is a disorder in which people are afraid to interact with others particularly in a small group or one-on-1. They’re concerned that they’ll do or say something that will embarrass them or make them appear foolish. Signs of SAD could include sweating shaking and heart palpitations. People suffering from SAD tend to avoid or limit social interactions and can impact their job performance and social life.There are a myriad of treatments available for anxiety disorders, and the majority of people are able to respond to them. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help people change their negative attitudes and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of talk therapy. It helps people recognize and correct thoughts that are distorted and cause anxiety and panic attacks. It also helps patients learn to deal with anxiety-provoking situations and how to deal with them.Medicines can help control some of the physical symptoms, such as stomach upset and dizziness. They can also aid those suffering from anxiety to sleep better and relax. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs, Lexapro, Escitalopram or SNRIs, fluoxetine, Prozac, are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants like tricyclics or monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) which work differently and are less effective, but can be used in conjunction with other medicines to combat anxiety.It is important to stay on treatment for anxiety disorders. Stopping medications abruptly can aggravate symptoms. Some over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements can also cause anxiety, so it’s best to talk to a health care provider prior to taking them.TreatmentIf your worries are causing disruption in your daily life, and making you feel uneasy, then see your doctor. Your doctor will ask questions and may refer you to a mental health specialist to diagnose and treat.The reason for anxiety disorders isn’t completely identified, but certain life experiences and traumatic events may increase the likelihood of developing one. They also can occur in those who are genetically predisposed to them. Your doctor can assess the severity of the symptoms using various tests and screening tools. For instance, the GAD-7 scale, created by Drs. Spitzer, Williams Monahan and Kroenke are self-reporting tools that are useful to diagnose GAD.When taken regularly, medications can reduce anxiety, specifically when taken in accordance with the prescribed dosage. Antidepressants are some of the most effective medications to treat anxiety disorder. Both prescription and over-the-counter versions are available. Many people steer clear of these medications because they fear they’ll become dependent but unlike painkillers and sedatives and sleeping pills, antidepressants aren’t a cause of dependence.Psychotherapy is another option to treat anxiety. Sometimes referred to as talk therapy, this form of treatment will teach you strategies to deal with your symptoms and keep them from getting worse. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular form of psychotherapy that helps people learn how to identify negative and fearful thoughts and behaviors and then change them. CBT has been proven to be as effective in treating anxiety as medication in a few studies.Other types of psychotherapy are mindfulness training, acceptance-commitment therapy (ACT) as well as interpersonal therapy. These therapies could be effective in treating anxiety, but some research is still not conclusive.Lifestyle changes can also help. Regular exercise can boost mood and reduce anxiety. A balanced diet can help to reduce the effects of stress. Spend time with family and friends and engage in a new pastime or join an organization that helps those suffering from anxiety.DiagnosisEveryone feels anxiety at times particularly when faced with a big challenge such as an interview or medical test. GAD is different, because the person with it feels anxious all the times, not just sometimes. They also have trouble controlling their anxiety and tend to think that they are in the dark about various everyday life problems. This includes financial, health, family problems and work or school performance. The worry can float from one problem to the next and can last for months, or even years.Doctors diagnose anxiety disorders based on a person’s reported symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. They will ask about your past health, and perform tests to determine if there is any physical causes to your symptoms. They will also test for any other mental disorders such as depression.GAD is not diagnosed through laboratory tests, but your doctor will examine your blood pressure and thyroid function. They will also ask questions about your daily routine and review your history of anxiety. If you have a family history of anxiety disorders, or if you’ve had traumatizing experiences in your childhood, this can make you more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. Certain medications and substances can also increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder.GAD is more common in women than males, and usually occurs around the age of 30, but it can happen at any point in time. It is a chronic condition but it is treated with medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy). Treatment options could include one or both of these therapies. The use of medication can help ease the anxiety and its physical symptoms, such as tension in muscles, headaches and shaking. Psychotherapy can help you learn how to overcome negative thoughts that lead to anxiety and stress. You can also explore relaxation techniques, like meditation or yoga, to reduce anxiety and reduce its symptoms. Some people find that exercise or other activities that help them concentrate their minds can help ease anxiety, too.The following is a list with preventions.People who have anxiety disorders can often find relief from medications and therapy. Certain people employ relaxation techniques, diets and exercises and other lifestyle changes to control their symptoms. Talk therapies assist people in identifying and confront the negative thoughts that trigger anxiety. These therapies include cognitive behavior therapy where individuals are taught to alter their thinking patterns and exposure therapy in which they confront fears one by one. In the short term, medication are used to help treat the symptoms. Therapy is the mainstay.Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent and exaggerated feelings of worry or dread over a variety of things. These anxiety-related feelings are difficult to manage and usually last longer than six months. People suffering from GAD might have a difficult to articulate what they are worried about, and their concerns typically don’t have a clear root. Health, money family and friends or other everyday activities are typical worries. They are worried about “what-ifs” such as their children getting in trouble or their home burning down.In addition to causing anxiety, stress can also affect the ability of a person to perform daily tasks, like school and work. It can cause problems sleeping and cause discomfort and pain. It also increases a person’s risk for having other mental health issues such as depression. It can also impact relationships and a person’s quality of life.Certain factors can make someone more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. These are known as risk factors. They include an history of mental health problems and having a parent with an anxiety disorder. anxiety disorder separation and emotional abuse during childhood can raise the chances of developing an anxiety disorder later on in life. Certain medical conditions like heart disease or lung disease can trigger anxiety. These are often the first signs of a problem. Certain medications can also trigger anxiety as an effect.Certain herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications can also increase anxiety, so people should consult a physician before taking them. Alcohol, nicotine and other drugs can make the symptoms worse.