Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
Speak to your doctor If you're experiencing constant anxiety-related symptoms. Everyone worries occasionally but when they're impacting your day-to-day life or making you feel anxious, it is time to seek medical assistance. They may refer you to a mental specialist and test for GAD.
Psychotherapy and medication can aid many sufferers of GAD. Lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques can also be helpful.
Worry and Tension
GAD patients have extreme and excessive anxiety and tension, even if there is no reason to worry. It can be difficult to sleep and concentrate, and these issues can last for months or even years. It is also common for those with GAD to suffer from other mental disorders, such as depression or dysthymia, which is a mild type of depression.
It is important to talk to a mental healthcare professional If you are suffering from persistent, severe symptoms of anxiety. They will use diagnostic criteria and standard assessments, as well as their clinical judgment to make the diagnosis.
It's normal to feel nervous or anxious at times, but people with GAD suffer from persistent and extreme anxiety and worry, and it can impact their lives and relationships. They are more likely to anticipate disaster and are more worried than is justified regarding many issues, including money family, work health, safety, and so on. Anxiety can cause people to avoid social interactions and activities that can cause loneliness and social isolation.
GAD symptoms are treated with medicine and psychotherapy. Antidepressants and medicines are used to treat anxiety-related symptoms. There are several types of antidepressants available. The first method of treatment is medication that falls into the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin, norepinephrine-reuptake inhibition (SNRI) classes. Examples include escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR).
Psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder is helpful, and there are many types. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-researched and effective treatment for anxiety and it can teach you new ways of thinking and behaving that help reduce your worries and anxieties. Psychotherapy is a longer-term therapy that is most efficient when you are working with an anxiety-trained therapist.
Social interaction can alleviate anxiety symptoms. You should look for an online support group that you can count on. It can be helpful to have a person in person with whom you can talk about your anxiety, especially if that person has had an experience of anxiety. If you're not sure where to start ask your doctor for referrals to mental health professionals and the recommendation of a therapist.
Physical Symptoms
GAD can create a constant anxiety even if there's no reason to worry. It can affect adults and children. However it is more prevalent for women. The condition is characterized by physical symptoms like tense muscles, sweating, or shaking. GAD sufferers are unable to control their thoughts or feelings and may feel as if they are losing control over their lives. The condition can cause them to be unable relax and disrupt their relationships. GAD can be treated through psychotherapy or medication.
It's perfectly normal to feel anxious particularly when your life gets stressful. It is recommended to consult a physician if you experience these symptoms often and they're affecting your daily life. They will inquire to determine if there isn't another cause and may order a physical exam. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), has been proven to be effective for many people with anxiety disorders, including GAD. The treatment helps individuals understand their anxiety and gives them strategies to manage it. It usually involves exposure therapy, which is where patients are confronted with feared or avoided situations under the guidance of their therapists.
The use of medications can ease certain physical symptoms of GAD that can be a problem, such as muscle tension and trembling. A psychologist or psychiatrist might prescribe antidepressants or other types of medication, to treat anxiety. Some people worry about becoming dependent on prescription medication however, these medications don't cause addiction and can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Exercise, which relieves tension and boosts the feel-good chemicals in the brain, can help reduce anxiety. Meditation can also help to calm the mind and reduce anxiety. It has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate associated with stress.
Spending time with family and friends can help reduce anxiety. You should find a person who will listen to your concerns and not be a judge. This person will be able to assist you realize that your worries aren't a reality and that the world is not about to end.
Panic Attacks
Everyone feels anxious at times, and there may be valid reasons for feeling this way. For people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), anxiety is constant and overwhelming. They can cause people to avoid social situations and daily tasks. This could negatively impact their school or work performance. They are also more likely to be worried about health concerns and other things that could go wrong.
Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear that are accompanied by distressing physical symptoms, like an increased heart rate and breath shortness. These can be frightening and, at first, can cause people to believe that they're suffering from a heart attack or nervous breakdown. These episodes can be serious enough to keep individuals from leaving their homes and could affect relationships with family and friends.
Treatments for GAD or panic attacks can include medication, therapy, lifestyle and diet changes and exercises. One kind of therapy can help the person reshape their thoughts and lessen their anxiety by employing relaxation techniques and gradual exposure to situations they have avoided. Individuals can seek support by joining groups with people who suffer from the same condition.
Medications can help relieve anxiety and prevent panic attacks by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters like serotonin, gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA) dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These drugs are also known as SSRIs or antidepressants. They are available over-the counter or on prescription. They can be used by themselves or in conjunction with other treatments, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy.
Antidepressants aren't addictive, unlike sleeping pills, sedatives or painkillers. They are also less expensive than some other types of prescription medications. Some people who suffer from anxiety may be reluctant to take these medications because they think it's a sign they are weak, but the drugs can significantly improve a person’s quality of living. They can also help them get back to a normal lifestyle, and they are less likely to experience anxiety attacks in the future than those who do not take medication.
Insomnia
GAD can make it difficult for people to sleep. They may lie awake at night, worrying about their work, family health, or other issues. They may get up earlier each morning than they intended or get a sleepless night and have difficulty falling back to sleep. Sleeplessness can cause a variety of issues, such as irritability, tiredness and a lack of energy. This condition can also cause headaches and digestive problems, such as diarrhea, constipation or stomach upset.
Although everyone experiences anxiety at times fears or apprehension that last for months and cause severe anxiety or disrupt everyday functioning could mean that you have an anxiety disorder. The three most commonly reported anxiety disorders are phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder. GAD is different from phobias in that your fears aren't tied to specific objects or circumstances and you don't have the specific, irrational fears associated with phobias.
If you have symptoms of GAD or GAD-related symptoms, consult your doctor. A physical examination or questionnaire can help determine if you have a medical problem that may be the cause of your symptoms, such as a thyroid disorder or an overactive gland. A mental health professional can suggest relaxation techniques or other ways to control symptoms.
Your doctor may suggest keeping a sleep diary for a week to track your wake-up and sleep times and sleep latency patterns and other information. If you have symptoms that indicate an issue with your sleep, such as obstructive apnea, a sleep study may be suggested.
You can also try relaxation techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises. Some doctors provide cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) which is an approach to teach you how to rest and sleep effectively. This therapy lasts anywhere between 6 to 8 weeks. CBT-I is offered by a variety of healthcare professionals such as nurses and psychologists. You can also rest better by avoiding physical activity for 5 to 6 hours prior to the time you go to bed, and limiting your intake of caffeine or alcohol.