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Generalized Anxiety
Disorder
(GAD) is when persistent
worry and anxiety about your health, work, money or family last for
at least six months, even when there are no signs of trouble in your
life. Doctors have found that constant and uncontrollable worry and
anxiety may be due to a GAD.
GAD is a long-term illness that can last for many years before it is
even diagnosed and treated. This is why many people with GAD believe
their anxiousness is purely a part of their personality. All of us must
realize that GAD is an illness that can and will interfere with our
every day life and is connected with physical symptoms.
Major Symptoms of GAD
The major symptoms of GAD
contain worry, anxiety and tension. If you think you might have GAD,
ask yourself the following questions:
1. Do I worry excessively
about minor issues?
2. Am I nervous most of the time?
3. Am I stressed most days?
If you answered yes to all
three questions, may mean that you are suffering from GAD. You should
consult your doctor for the proper diagnosis.
Other Symptoms of
GAD
*Restlessness
*Exhausting Easily
*Struggle Concentrating
*Muscle Tension
*Uneasy Sleep
Due to these symptoms being
physical in nature, the emotional aspects of GAD can go unnoticed by
your doctor. As a result, many people visit their doctor several times
because of these physical symptoms before GAD is diagnosed and treated.
In order to help the doctor become more aware of your problem and make
the correct diagnosis, talk to him/her about all your symptoms including
any constant worries that you may have.
Who Suffers From
GAD?
GAD affects more than five
percent of Americans throughout their lifetime. These individuals do
not have to be burned or injured in other ways to suffer from this disorder.
GAD has been found to be twice as common in women from 45 years of age
and older then in men. Gad has also been found in adults from the ages
of 25 and over.
What Causes GAD?
The precise cause of GAD
is not known. It is thought to maybe be caused by a several factors.
These factors can include but are not limited to, a family history or
a physiological chemical imbalance, and that symptoms may get worse
during periods of stress.
Can Preexisting Disorders
Cause GAD?
Although GAD can exist on
its own, it has been found that 90% of people who suffer from GAD may
have preexisting conditions as well. These are:
1. Depression: Is a sad or empty mood and the loss of interest or pleasure
in most activities once enjoyed.
2. Panic Disorder: The occurrence of repeated, severe unexpected horror
or awaiting destiny.
3. Social Anxiety Disorder: An extreme constant fear of scrutiny and
embarrassment in social situations.
4. Alcohol Abuse
5. Drug Abuse
Treating GAD
1. Counseling with a psychiatrist,
psychologist, mental health counselor or social worker.
2. Attending local and/or internet support groups.
3. Medication
4. Combination of therapy and medication.
Medications
Anxiety disorders are commonly treated by two different types of medication.
The first type of medication is called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRI). SSRI has been found to help control the symptoms
of anxiety by regulating the balance of serotonin in the brain. SSRI
has been found to be safe and effective for long-term use and is well
tolerated by the human body.
The second type of medication used to treat GAD is called benzodiazepines.
This type of drug has been used for many years with very good results.
The most common medications used from this class of drugs are Valium,
Xanax and Ativan. These medication have been found to be addictive and
should be used with caution.
Talk Therapy Treatment:
It has been found that talk therapy and/or counseling may be an effective
way of treating anxiety. These types of therapy can help an individual
control their anxiety symptoms. Talk Therapy treatment can include:
1. Behavioral Therapy: This type of therapy can teach the individual
how to cope with difficult situations.
2. Cognitive Therapy: This type of therapy can teach the individual
how to differentiate between realistic and unrealistic thoughts.
3. Relaxation Techniques: This can help decrease nervous tension that
can contribute to anxiety.
How Can I Start Taking Control?
First you must reach out and ask for help. Contact your doctor, local
health clinic, local hospital, organization, a family member or friend.
Always remember that you should not feel embarrassed about seeking help.
That is the first step toward your recovery.
Second, try to stay positive. Although you may feel hopeless and worried
at times, with the help needed you can rebuild and keep the positive
attitude. So, take the first step in order to join the millions of people
that have turned their lives around and learned how to control the negative
thoughts. You may be asking yourself how can I take the first step.
1. Ask For Help.
2. Seek Support.
3. Contact Organizations.
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News:
The global community is what keeps phobics awareness going.
We are a completely member supported and driven community.
Dedicated volunteers work constantly to improve the site and
spread the word. The original founder of phobics awareness,
Paul launched the site on 21st of June 2002 with the help
of his partner and a few other people, Paul as now taken a
back seat and phobics awareness is now run by a number of
volunteers from all over the world, phobics awareness is a
non-profit organization dedicated to the global community,
Member involvement is a vital part of the growth and development
of phobics awareness. Simply put, we couldn't do it without
you!
I am a psychiatrist with over 30 years’
experience of working with agoraphobia and have written “Freedom
From Agoraphobia.” This is a program for overcoming
agoraphobia both for people who have the condition and for
therapists. In order to make its contents available to more
people, I shall be sending in the educational portions of
this book as articles free to subscribers to Phobics-Awareness.org.
Mark Eisenstadt, M.D.
Read More
Here
There are Thirteen articles now.
Read more about Agoraphobia written by one of our members
Here
We would like to welcome Steve Woods to the
site, I am the Hypnotist, Chinosis Coach and joint Director
of Positive Thoughts based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
I also spend a lot of time in Birmingham so have a business
base there, My qualifications are R.Hyp, R.Chi.C, S.N.H.S.
Dip(Hypnotherapy). I am a Member of the Academy of Hypnotic
Arts (M.A.H.A.).
Steve is going to help out with any Q&A you may have,
The Q&A will be on the
Forum
Under Hypnosis.
You can find Steve's site Here
New Book:
We though agoraphobics may be interested in this book.
Jack Madigan is, by many accounts, blessed. Thanks to his
legendary rock star father, he lives an enviable existence
in a once-glorious, but now crumbling, Boston town house with
his teenage son, Harlan. There's just one problem: Jack is
agoraphobic. While living on his dad's dwindling royalties
hasn't been easy, Jack and Harlan have bumbled along just
fine. Until the money runs out...and so does Jack's luck Read
More
click the banner below to visit
www.hypnoshop.com
Self Hypnosis is a powerful tool for making positive changes
within your life. Hypnosis has been used for centuries and
has been put to many great uses, helping millions of people
to stop smoking, lose weight, conquer fears and phobias, and
much more.
Relaxation Tapes & CD's
We are hoping to offer tapes and CD's very soon, The only
cost will be for postage and packing, We believe in trying
to keep the price as low as possible, You can find some CD's
on the forum
Storm Phobias
I know this time of year in the UK can be a worrying time
for people who suffer from storm phobias,
Especially thunder and lightning, I will be working on this
part of the site over the next few weeks, In the mean time
I've added a lightning detector so you can see where the storms
are, It refreshes every 60 seconds, You can find It Here
Also check out the Net Weather web site Here.
More about Storm Phobia Here
Books
The Driving Fear Program
The Driving Fear program is a self-help resource for those
with a fear of driving, or a driving related phobia such as
fear of highways or bridges. It includes articles on specific
coping techniques and a comprehensive e-book program in use
by clinicians and individuals worldwide.
Web Site Last Updated: 16.2.2009
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