Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
While everyone is concerned from time to time If your anxiety symptoms affect your everyday activities or are persistently severe, talk to your doctor. They can test for GAD and refer you to a mental health professional.
Many people suffering from GAD also get relief from psychotherapy and medications. Lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques can also help.
Worry and tension
GAD sufferers experience extreme and excessive anxiety and tension, even if there is no reason to be concerned. This can make it difficult to concentrate and sleep and the anxiety may linger for months or years. GAD is often associated with other psychiatric disorders like dysthymia, dysthymia, or depression.
If you're experiencing severe, persistent anxiety symptoms, you need to speak with a mental health professional. They will use diagnostic criteria, standardized assessments and their clinical judgment to determine the cause.
It's normal to feel stressed or anxious at times, but people with GAD suffer from constant and excessive anxiety and worry, which can affect their daily life and relationships. They are more likely to anticipate disaster and worry more than seems justified about many issues, including money family, work health, safety, and so on. Anxiety can cause people to avoid social interactions and activities that can cause loneliness and social isolation.
GAD symptoms are treated with medicine and psychotherapy. Antidepressants and medications are used to treat anxiety-related symptoms. Different types of medications are utilized, and the first line treatments are medications in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) classes. Examples include escitalopram (Lexapro), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor XR).
Psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder is beneficial, and there are many different types. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a tried and true treatment for anxiety that provides you with new ways of thinking and behaving can ease your anxiety. Psychotherapy is typically a long-term treatment and is most successful when you collaborate with a therapist who is trained in treating anxiety.
Social interaction can alleviate anxiety symptoms. You should look for a support group you can rely on. Being able to talk to in person, particularly those who have suffered from anxiety, can be very helpful. Ask your doctor for suggestions for mental health professionals or a therapist in case you aren't sure where to start.
Physical Signs and symptoms
GAD causes anxiety that persists, even when there is little or any reason to be concerned. It can affect both adults and children. However it is more prevalent for women. This condition is characterized by physical symptoms such as tense muscle, sweating, or shaking. GAD sufferers have trouble controlling thoughts and emotions and may feel that they are losing control over their lives. This condition can also cause them to be unable to relax and can affect their relationships. GAD is treated with medication or psychotherapy.
It's normal to be anxious, especially when life gets stressful. If you experience these symptoms most of the time and they cause problems with your everyday life you should consult an expert. They will ask questions to make sure that there isn't another cause and may request an examination. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a great option for a large number of people suffering from anxiety disorders, such as GAD. The treatment helps individuals understand their anxiety and gives them strategies to manage it. It typically involves exposure therapy in which patients are guided by their therapists to face situations they fear or avoid.
Some physical symptoms associated with GAD such as muscle tension and trembling, can be relieved by medications. A psychologist or psychiatrist might prescribe antidepressants, or other kinds of medication to treat anxiety. Some people are concerned about becoming dependent on prescription medication however, these medications aren't addictive and can be taken safely in combination with psychotherapy.
Exercise, which eases tension and boosts the feel-good chemicals in the brain, can aid in reducing anxiety. Meditation is another technique that can help reduce anxiety and promote a peaceful mind. It's been shown to reduce the blood pressure and heart rate that are associated with stress.
Spending time with family and friends can also reduce anxiety. You need to find someone who will listen to you and not criticize you. This person will assist you in recognizing that your worries aren't justified and that the world will not end any time soon.
Panic Attacks
There are many reasons why people feel anxious. For those suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), anxiety is continuous and overwhelming. They tend to avoid social activities and daily activities, which can negatively impact work or school performance. They are also more likely to be concerned about health concerns and other things that could go wrong.
Panic attacks are intense episodes with distressing symptoms such as a racing pulse and a shortness of breath. These can be frightening and initially make people believe they are having a heart attack or nervous breakdown. These episodes may be severe enough to keep people from leaving home and may negatively impact relationships with family and friends.
Some of the treatments for GAD and panic attacks include therapy, exercise changes to diet and lifestyle and medication. One type of therapy helps people to shape and lessen their fear using relaxation techniques and gradual exposure to situations they avoided. Support groups can be formed with people who share the same condition.
These medications can help ease anxiety and prevent panic attacks by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA) dopamine and norepinephrine, which are found in the brain. These drugs are also known as antidepressants or SSRIs. These medications are available without prescription or in the form of an over-the-counter. They can be used on their own or in conjunction with other treatments, such as cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders.
Antidepressants do not cause addiction like sleeping pills, sedatives or painkillers. They are cheaper than other prescription medications. Some people who suffer from anxiety are hesitant to take these medications because they think it's a sign that they are weak, but the medications can dramatically improve the quality of living. They can allow them to live a an ordinary life and are less likely to suffer from panic attacks in the near future.
Insomnia
People suffering from GAD struggle to get a good night's sleep. They may worry about their health, family, or work late at night. They may get up earlier than they planned to each morning, or they may sleep during the day and find it difficult to go to sleep at night. Sleepiness can cause a number of problems like fatigue and irritability. It can also lead to headaches and digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea, or upset stomach.
Everyone experiences anxiety at times, but feelings of fear and apprehension lasting for months that cause significant distress or hinder daily functioning could indicate that you have anxiety disorder. The most commonly encountered kinds of anxiety disorders are phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is different from phobias in that your fears aren't connected to specific situations or objects, and you don’t possess the specific irrational thoughts that is associated with phobias.
Speak to your doctor when you are experiencing symptoms of GAD. A physical exam as well as a questionnaire can help determine whether you suffer from a medical issue that may be causing the symptoms, such as thyroid issues or an adrenal gland that is overactive. A mental health professional may offer relaxation techniques and other methods to reduce symptoms.
Your doctor may recommend that you keep a sleeping diary for a week to track your bedtimes and wake-up times as well as sleep latency patterns and other data. If you have symptoms that suggest a sleep disorder, such as an obstruction in your sleep, a sleep study may be recommended.
You can also practice relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises and meditation. Some doctors offer cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia (CBTI) which is a treatment that teaches you how to sleep and relax. The therapy can last anywhere from 6-8 weeks. CBT-I is provided by a variety of healthcare professionals, including psychologists, nurses and doctors. You can also get better sleep by avoiding any physical activity 5 to 6 hrs before going to bed and limiting your consumption of caffeine or alcohol.