Anxiety

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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry about events or activities. Worry often interferes with daily functioning, and sufferers are overly concerned about everyday matters such as health, finances, death, family, relationship concerns, or work difficulties. 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a number of different things. People with GAD may anticipate disaster and may be overly concerned about money, health, family, work, or other issues. Individuals with GAD find it difficult to control their worry. They may worry more than seems warranted about actual events or may expect the worst even when there is no apparent reason for concern. 

GAD is diagnosed when a person finds it difficult to control worry on more days than not for at least six months and has three or more symptoms. This differentiates GAD from worry that may be specific to a set stressor or for a more limited period of time.

When their anxiety level is mild to moderate or with treatment, people with GAD can function socially, have full and meaningful lives, and be gainfully employed. Many with GAD may avoid situations because they have the disorder or they may not take advantage of opportunities due to their worry (social situations, travel, promotions, etc). Some people can have difficulty carrying out the simplest daily activities when their anxiety is severe. 

There are a number of factors, biological, genetic, environmental and psychological, that can cause or contribute to the development of generalised anxiety disorder.  Symptoms may include excessive worry, restlessness, trouble sleeping, exhaustion, irritability, sweating, and trembling .

 Symptoms

• Excessive worry and nervousness 
• Restlessness
• Trembling
• Getting easily startled
• Trouble sleeping
• Amnesia
• Inability to concentrate
• Indecisiveness
• Irritability
• Headache
• Restlessness
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Heart palpitations

 Causes of and risk factors for GAD may include:

• a family history of anxiety
• recent or prolonged exposure to stressful situations, including personal or family illnesses
• excessive use of caffeine or tobacco, which can make existing anxiety worse
• childhood abuse

 Many people can find relief by adopting certain lifestyle habits. These may include:

• regular exercise, a healthy diet, and plenty of sleep
• yoga and meditation
• avoiding stimulants, such as coffee and some over-the-counter medications, such as diet pills and caffeine pills
• talking with a trusted friend, spouse, or family member about fears and worries

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has become the leading treatment for anxiety, and with good reason. Research indicates that CBT can be an effective treatment for anxiety after as few as 8 sessions, with or without any form of medication.

CBT is a form of therapy designed to modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours that may contribute to stress and anxiety and to provide skills to manage anxiety symptoms. During CBT sessions, people living with generalised anxiety learn to identify and challenge their anxious thoughts and replace them with more helpful ways of thinking. 

CBT works by identifying and addressing how a person's thoughts and behaviors interact to create anxiety. Therapists work with clients to recognize how negative thought patterns influence a person's feelings and behaviors.  

With CBT, a therapist attempts to intervene by changing negative thought patterns, teaching relaxation skills, and changing behaviors that lead to the problem worsening. To help provide motivation for treatment and get a client on board, providing psychoeducation about anxiety is the first step of treatment.