Here are 7 of the questions I'm most asked about Generalized Anxiety Disorder...
1. WHAT IS GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER?
GAD is a chronic condition which leaves the sufferer with overwhelming anxiety and fear on a daily basis. They are normally fully aware they are continually anxious and fearful, but can't stop themselves from worrying and thinking the worst about a variety of things, situations and events, in a way that far outweighs their significance.
2. WHO IS AT RISK?
To be diagnosed with general anxiety disorder you usually have had to had the symptoms continually for at least 6 months. GAD normally develops gradually over time. It most often first appears in childhood or adolescence, although it can strike in adults. It is more common in females than males and if there has been GAD in the family line before, you are more at risk.
3. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER?
Apart from the symptoms such as always being stressed and unable to relax, there are other signs such as sleeping problems, headaches, irritability, lightheadedness, nausea, hot flashes, sweating, twitching, shaking, depression, etc. There may also be a frequent need to urinate.
4. HOW IS IT CAUSED?
This is a tough one, as there is a variety of medical opinion on it. But there seems to be a common understanding that generalized anxiety disorder may be caused by genetics (family history), brain chemistry (chemical imbalances in the brain) or environmental conditions (death in the family, changing jobs / school, abuse, the use / withdrawal from addictive drugs, etc.).
5. HOW IS IT TREATED?
Most people will be prescribed drug-based medications to help manage their mood and calm them down. Typical are antidepressants and tranquilizers, although beta-blockers can be given for some of the more physical symptoms.
6. ARE THE DRUGS EFFECTIVE AND WHAT ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS?
They can be effective for many patients, but they are used to help 'manage' your condition, so there is no guarantee that when treatment is stopped you won't relapse back into your condition. They do have some nasty side effects like nausea, stomach problems, drowsiness, slurred speech, confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness, memory loss, blurred vision, and so on. And, of course, there can be long term dependency issues.
7. ARE THERE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES FOR GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER?
There are many alternative therapies for GAD such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), modelling treatment, psychotherapies, hypnotherapy, counselling, etc. Talk to your doctor about these other options. And there are homeopathic and herbal remedies that more and more sufferers are turning to as well. Talk to your local experts in these fields for expert information.
But the key to curing General Anxiety Disorder is to get rid of the continual fear that is carried around. This fear is so profound that it can actually trigger panic attacks. And the symptoms of panic attacks are so horrifying that your fear increases even more because you don't want to have another attack. This has been referred to as your anxiety cycle, which needs to be broken to get to a permanent cure.
1. WHAT IS GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER?
GAD is a chronic condition which leaves the sufferer with overwhelming anxiety and fear on a daily basis. They are normally fully aware they are continually anxious and fearful, but can't stop themselves from worrying and thinking the worst about a variety of things, situations and events, in a way that far outweighs their significance.
2. WHO IS AT RISK?
To be diagnosed with general anxiety disorder you usually have had to had the symptoms continually for at least 6 months. GAD normally develops gradually over time. It most often first appears in childhood or adolescence, although it can strike in adults. It is more common in females than males and if there has been GAD in the family line before, you are more at risk.
3. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER?
Apart from the symptoms such as always being stressed and unable to relax, there are other signs such as sleeping problems, headaches, irritability, lightheadedness, nausea, hot flashes, sweating, twitching, shaking, depression, etc. There may also be a frequent need to urinate.
4. HOW IS IT CAUSED?
This is a tough one, as there is a variety of medical opinion on it. But there seems to be a common understanding that generalized anxiety disorder may be caused by genetics (family history), brain chemistry (chemical imbalances in the brain) or environmental conditions (death in the family, changing jobs / school, abuse, the use / withdrawal from addictive drugs, etc.).
5. HOW IS IT TREATED?
Most people will be prescribed drug-based medications to help manage their mood and calm them down. Typical are antidepressants and tranquilizers, although beta-blockers can be given for some of the more physical symptoms.
6. ARE THE DRUGS EFFECTIVE AND WHAT ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS?
They can be effective for many patients, but they are used to help 'manage' your condition, so there is no guarantee that when treatment is stopped you won't relapse back into your condition. They do have some nasty side effects like nausea, stomach problems, drowsiness, slurred speech, confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness, memory loss, blurred vision, and so on. And, of course, there can be long term dependency issues.
7. ARE THERE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES FOR GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER?
There are many alternative therapies for GAD such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), modelling treatment, psychotherapies, hypnotherapy, counselling, etc. Talk to your doctor about these other options. And there are homeopathic and herbal remedies that more and more sufferers are turning to as well. Talk to your local experts in these fields for expert information.
But the key to curing General Anxiety Disorder is to get rid of the continual fear that is carried around. This fear is so profound that it can actually trigger panic attacks. And the symptoms of panic attacks are so horrifying that your fear increases even more because you don't want to have another attack. This has been referred to as your anxiety cycle, which needs to be broken to get to a permanent cure.
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