GAD: General Anxiety Disorder
Have you ever been worried but could never ready identify what it is you were actually worried about? Those who live with this condition for an extended period of time may struggle with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). In this situation an individual finds themselves incredibly restless and sleep is hard to come back. Everything seems to require an over reaction, but you are at a loss as to what you ultimately concerned about.
For those who live with GAD it seems as if every issue they encounter demand worry and concern. One sufferer is quoted by the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) as saying, “I’d have terrible sleeping problems. There were times I’d wake up wired in the middle of the night. I had trouble concentrating, even reading the newspaper or a novel. Sometimes I’d feel a little lightheaded. My heart would race or pound. And that would make me worry more. I was always imagining things were worse than they really were. When I got a stomachache, I’d think it was an ulcer.”
Prevalence of GAD
Nearly 7 million Americans suffer with GAD. It is estimated that twice as many women as men live with the disorder. It is thought that GAD may have a genetic connection. In other words a parent with GAD may have children that express similar worry. However this can be more that simply an observable behavior that is picked up by children. The severity of GAD tends to decrease in middle age.
Symptoms of GAD
According to the NIMH, “People with GAD can’t seem to get rid of their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. They can’t relax, startle easily, and have difficulty concentrating. Often they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Physical symptoms that often accompany the anxiety include fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, having to go to the bathroom frequently, feeling out of breath, and hot flashes.”
Treatment Options
If you experience some of the symptoms listed above you may be helped by visiting your primary care physician first. The reason this is the best first step is to allow a doctor to determine if there are medical issues that should be addressed. This allows you to address your concerns medically first. Then if you still find that you are anxious you may need to visit a therapist. The NIMH suggests, “The practitioners who are most helpful with anxiety disorders are those who have training in cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or behavioral therapy, and who are open to using medication if it is needed.”
In many instances your health insurance or HMO will provide coverage for anxiety therapy.
Helpful Extra Steps
There are ways you can improve the outcome of your General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
- Support Groups
- Learn Stress Management techniques
- Rely on the support of available family members.
If your family doesn’t understand this disorder they may benefit from sensitivity training so they don’t minimize the effects it has on your life outlook.
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