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Generalized Anxiety Disorder Explained: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment


In the same manner, anxiety is a natural part of our lives, just as long as it doesn't tend to become extreme, continuous, and excessive, to the extent where it obstructs our daily lives. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) refers to a state where you often worry about one or more aspects of life without fail. This mental health condition is greater than just occasional anxiousness; it can have a massive effect on your overall well beeing. By understanding what is generalized anxiety disorder symptoms, causes and with available treatments can help you be in control of your life.

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a long term health problem in which you worry about everyday situations. General anxiety disorder, unlike regular anxiety, occurs even in the absence of particular situations that are usually an underlying cause for anxiety. People with GAD are unable to direct their worries and may worry excessively about their family, health, work, relationships or finances.

This condition may start at any age but usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood. When untreated, it causes emotional distress, health problems, and lessens the quality of life.

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder can be mentally or physically manifested. And some of the most common signs of this are:

Psychological Symptoms:

  • A persistent, excessive and unreasonable worry about a number of different aspects of life
  • Inability to control anxious thoughts
  • Not being able to concentrate or feeling like you go blank.
  • Being constantly on edge or restless

Physical Symptoms:

  • Fatigue and trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • Muscle tension and body aches
  • Rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath
  • Nausea, dizziness, or digestive issues

Increased irritability

However, if these symptoms are accompanied by many more and are present for six or more months, you should see a professional right away.

Causes of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

What causes generalized anxiety disorder is not clear, but several factors are known to be involved. Some key causes include:

  • Genetics: People with a family history of anxiety disorders are more likely to have GAD.
  • Excessive Anxiety: Sometimes there is a problem in the brain chemistry, which may result from the imbalances of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
  • The problem also lies in the personality factors of the individual as people who are naturally timid, sensitive, or perfectionistic are likely to have GAD.
  • Stressful Life Events: Any experience of stress such as surviving from trauma or a stressful ongoing situation can bring on GAD.

Chronic illnesses or hormonal imbalances can make you have anxiety symptoms.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatments

Though GAD may seem daunting, there are a number of effective generalized anxiety disorder treatments available to patients to assist with coping symptoms and improving quality of life. Typically treatment options include therapy, medication, some changes in lifestyle.
Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

On the other hand, therapy is one of the most effective treatments for GAD. Common approaches include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): An evidence based treatment that assists the person to identify and reframe unhelpful typical thought patterns associated with anxiety.
  • Exposure Therapy: Gradually exposing the self to situations that bring anxiety over time will lead to reduction of fear.
  • Practices like meditation and deep breathing keep one present and are helpful in reducing anxiety symptoms in one.

Medication Options

In certain instances, medicating can help relieve GAD. Commonly prescribed medications include:

  • Other: There are certain others as well such as other drugs, Prozac (Select Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), Lexapro, and Zoloft that helps in adjusting the levels of serotonin in the brain.
  • Drugs used to relieve the symptoms of anxiety disorders, which also include Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), include Effexor and Cymbalta.
  • Short term medications for anxiety are the benzodiazepines, but they are to be used with the precaution of the risk of dependence.
The best medication can be chosen by a healthcare professional on an individual basis.

Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Professional help is available if you or someone near you is suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. With proper treatment and coping techniques, GAD can be managed and individuals can have a productive life.

If you are seeking generalized anxiety disorder treatment, you can trust DeLand Treatment Solutions for respectful, successful approaches designed to meet your needs. The people with whom we work are offered evidence based therapies by our team of experts to assist you in taking back your anxiety.
Anxiety should not force you to live in a bubble and there is help a call away! DeLand Treatment Solutions has the solution, contact them today at (386) 866- 8689 and begin heading down the path to peace of mind.

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