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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
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
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) usually involves a persistent feeling of anxiety or dread that interferes with how you live your life. It is not the same as occasionally worrying about things or experiencing anxiety due to stressful life events. People living with GAD experience frequent anxiety for months, if not years.
GAD develops slowly. It often starts around age 30, although it can occur in childhood. The disorder is more common in women than in men
People with GAD may:
Worry excessively about everyday things
Have trouble controlling their worries or feelings of nervousness
Know that they worry much more than they should
Feel restless and have trouble relaxing
Have a hard time concentrating
Startle easily
Have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Tire easily or feel tired all the time
Have headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, -
Unexplained pains
Tremble or twitch
Feel irritable or "on edge"
Feel lightheaded, or feel out of breath
Adults with GAD are often highly nervous about everyday circumstances, such as:
Job security or performance
Health
Finances
The health and well-being of their children or other family members
Being late
Completing household chores and other responsibilities
Treatment of GAD
A number of types of treatment can help with GAD. Supportive and interpersonal therapy can help. Cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) has been more researched and specifically targets thoughts, physical symptoms and behaviors including the over-preparation, planning and avoidance that characterizes GAD. Mindfulness based approaches and Acceptance Commitment Therapy have also been investigated with positive outcome. All therapies (sometimes in different ways) help people change their relationship to their symptoms. They help people to understand the nature of anxiety itself, to be less afraid of the presence of anxiety, and to help people make choices independent of the presence of anxiety. The adult CBT treatments for GAD have been modified for children and teens and show positive outcomes.
There are a number of medication choices for GAD, usually the SSRIs either alone or in combination with therapy.
Relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, exercise, and other alternative treatments may also become part of a treatment plan.
Other anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse often accompany GAD, which rarely occurs alone; co-occurring conditions must also be treated with appropriate therapies.