Generalized Anxiety Disorder
All of us get worried at times, but for people who experience generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) this worry and anxiety can be persistent and impede your ability to function effectively or to relax. People with GAD may excessively worry about things that are not likely to happen and feel tense for no apparent reason. This excessive worry and anxiety can have a physical toll, resulting in poorer sleep, feelings of exhaustion and poorer concentration. The difference between GAD and normal worryThere is a difference between normal worrying and GAD. A person with GAD worries more often and the worry is much more disruptive to their life and overall well being. For example, let’s suppose that you watch TV broadcast about the current economic slowdown. The average person may worry and have a temporary unease about their overall finances and job security. A person with GAD may excessively worry about their financial situation and have difficulty controlling their thoughts. So they spend all night worrying about their finances and then continue to worry for more days than not about the worst case scenario in which he has lost his job, can't feed his family and has no support. While people with GAD may not avoid work or social situations, they do go about their day with an excessive worry and anxiety, with little to provoke such excessive tension. Below is a summary of the difference between “normal worriers” and worriers who may suffer from GAD.
What is GADRoughly 6.8 million Americans are affected by generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People with GAD experience excessive worry and anxiety about events or activities on more days than not for the last 6 months, and have difficulty controlling their worry. In addition, typically people with generalized anxiety disorder also experience three or more of the following symptoms for more days than not in the last 6 months. having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or restless and unsatisfying sleep Treatment options for GADIf GAD is getting in the way of your life it is a good idea to seek out various treatment options. GAD can coexist with a number of other issues such as depression, alcohol abuse and many medical conditions, to name a few. Seek advice from a qualified medical professional.There are a number of treatment options for generalized anxiety disorder which can include cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy with a qualified therapist will most likely involve education, monitoring of thoughts and behavior, cognitive and behavioral strategies to reduce overall anxiety symptoms. Self help optionsSelf help options for generalized anxiety disorder revolve around promoting relaxation and reducing overall stress.Reduce stress. Reducing overall stress can be helped by reducing caffeine intake and adopting healthy lifestyle choices that include adequate exercise and a healthy diet. Accept uncertainty Another self help option could be to accept that uncertainty exists in life and that worrying about this uncertainty is not productive. Worrying thoughts could be challenged with facts or more rational ways of examining the issue. Promote relaxation. Relaxation exercises that activate the relaxation response and counter the stress response will reduce stress and promote relaxation. Relaxation exercises include progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, breathing exercises and meditation among others.
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