What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
What are the Symptoms of GAD?
Some of the common symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder include:
- Persistent worry and tension
- The feeling of impending doom
- Indecisiveness
- Restlessness
- Inability to relax
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty with handling uncertainty
- Trouble sleeping
What are the Causes of GAD?
Causes of generalized anxiety disorder may include:
- Family History: According to the research studies, there is a tendency to develop GAD if you have a family history of the condition.
- Brain Chemistry: There is an association between GAD and abnormalities in the neural pathways that connect regions of the brain associated with emotions and thinking.
- Traumatic and Stressful Events: These include:
- Experiencing relationship stress
- Financial mismanagement and uncertainty
- Death of a loved one
- Changing jobs
- A long-term health condition and medication
How is GAD Diagnosed?
Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy- This is one of the best short-term psychotherapy treatments for generalized anxiety disorder. This therapy focuses on learning specific skills to balance your emotions and to manage uncertain and worrisome situations.
Medications- The following medications may be prescribed:
- Antidepressants
- Buspirone
- Benzodiazepines
Medical marijuana is recommended in the management of this condition as it is shown to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Prevention of GAD
Here are a few steps to effectively avoid GAD
- Seek Therapy for Traumatic Experiences: If you notice that thinking about certain events in your life makes you overtly anxious, address the problem by seeking professional help.
- Educate Yourself: Learn about the disorder from your healthcare provider and trusted sources.
- Avoid Caffeine: Caffeine can have adverse effects that negatively impact GAD.
- Join a Support Group: Make a choice to surround yourself with a group of like-minded people that help each other find effective ways of dealing with anxiety issues.
- Maintain an Active Lifestyle: A healthy and active lifestyle will help improve your physical and mental health.