GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder is marked by a persistent, excessive and uncontrollable worry about common occurrences, events or activities which often interferes with daily functioning.
- People with this disorder typically anticipate disaster and are concerned about money, death, friendship problems, work difficulties, health issues, interpersonal relationship problems, or family issues.
- It is common and normal to feel anxious about happening in your life from time to time, a person with GAD may worry uncontrollably about a particular thing or more several times per day for months on end. This can even happen when there is really nothing to worry about.
- In many cases, GAD occurs along with panic disorder, depression, phobias, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- GAD is seen more in women than in men and affects about 4% of people at some point in their life.
- GAD is common amongst individual with a family history of the disorder or history of substance abuse.
- GAD can become chronic once it develops but it can be managed or eliminated with proper treatment.
CAUSES
Anxiety disorder is complex and may result from a combination of biological and environmental factors, which may include:
- Genetics
- Childhood experience
- Abnormal functioning of certain nerve cell in the brain
Risk factors may include
- A family history
- Recent or prolonged exposure to stressful situations
- Long-term use of alcohol, tobacco
SYMPTOMS
They may include:
- Persistent worrying or anxiety about a variety of topics, event, and activities
- Inability to set aside or let go of worry
- Indecisiveness and fear of making the wrong decision
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty handling uncertainty
- Seeing situations as threatening even when they are not
Physical signs and symptoms may include:
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Sweating
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Rapid heartbeat
- Muscle tension or aches
- Repeated diarrhea
- Shaking or trembling
- Nervousness
Once suicidal thoughts or behavior develops, seek emergency treatment immediately
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
The doctor will begin an evaluation by asking questions about your symptoms, medical and psychiatric history.
The doctor will carry out a physical exam to look for signs of medication or an underlying medical condition that may be causing your disorder.
If any medical condition is suspected, the doctor will order tests such as blood or urine test.
If no medical condition is present, you may be referred to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will use the criteria listed in the DSM-5, published by the American Psychiatric Association or ICD-10, produced by the World Health Organization as a diagnostic tool to evaluate the disorder
The disorder is diagnosed if symptoms have lasted for at least six months
TREATMENT
Treatment is based on how much the disorder is affecting your ability to function well in your day-to-day life.
The two major treatment options are psychotherapy and medications
Medications may include:
- Antidepressants- the preferred first-line treatment of GAD are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as escitalopram and paroxetine followed by serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (such as duloxetine and venlafaxine), and pregabalin
- An anti-anxiety medication called buspirone may be used on an ongoing basis. This drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the short or long-term treatment of anxiety disorder
- In rare cases, benzodiazepines may be prescribed to relieve anxiety symptoms. These medications can be habit-forming and are not good for people that have or have had problems with alcohol or drug abuse.