Generalized

Anxiety Disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a psychological disorder characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry about everyday things that is disproportionate to the actual source of worry. This excessive worry often interferes with daily functioning, as individuals suffering GAD typically anticipate disaster and are overly concerned about everyday matters such as health issues, money, death, family problems, friendship problems, interpersonal relationship problems, or work difficulties.

Symptoms

Individuals suffering from GAD may exhibit a variety of physical symptoms, including fatigue, fidgeting, headaches, nausea, numbness in hands and feet, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, bouts of difficulty breathing, difficulty concentrating, trembling, twitching, irritability, agitation, sweating, restlessness, insomnia, hot flashes, and rashes.

Causes

The exact cause of GAD is unknown, but a number of factors - including genetics, brain chemistry and environmental stresses - appear to contribute to its development. It is believed that GAD may be passed on in families, and it has been shown that those with family history of GAD are more likely to develop it themselves.

Treatment

Treatment for GAD typically involves medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy or a combination of the two. Medications used to treat GAD include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and buspirone. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that can help people with GAD recognize and change thought patterns and behaviors that lead to troublesome feelings.

See Also

• Anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

References

‎