- Generalized Anxiety Disorder -
· Characterized by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no obvious reasons for worry.
· People with symptoms of GAD tend to always expect disaster and can't stop worrying about health, money, family, work, or school.
· The worry is often unrealistic or out of proportion for the situation.
· Their daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear, and dread.
· GAD has similar symptoms that are similar to panic disorder, OCD and other types of Anxiety but they are all different conditions.
· Women are diagnosed with GAD somewhat more often than men.
· A person whose temperament is timid or negative or who avoids anything dangerous may be more prone to GAD than others.
Risk Factors
· Differences in brain chemistry and function – Associated with abnormal functioning of certain nerve cell pathways that connect particular brain regions involved thinking and emotion. These nerve cell connections depend on chemicals called neurotransmitters that transmit information from one nerve cell to the next. If the pathways that connect particular brain regions do not run efficiently, problems related to mood or anxiety may result.
· Genetics - GAD may run in families. *Hereditary
· Environmental Factors - People with GAD may have a history of significant life changes, traumatic or negative experiences during childhood, or a recent traumatic or negative event. Chronic medical illnesses or other mental health disorders may increase risk.
Complications
· Impair your ability to perform task quickly and efficiently because you have trouble concentrating
· Can't take your time and focus from other activities
· Sap your energy
· Increase your risk of depression
· It can also lead to or worsen other physical health conditions, such as:
O Digestive or bowel problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome or ulcers
O Headaches and migraines
O Chronic pain and illness
O Sleep problems and insomnia
O Heart-health issues
· Some mental health disorders that commonly occur with GAD include:
O Phobias
O Panic Disorder
O Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
O Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
O Depression
O Suicidal thoughts or suicide
O Substance abuse
Diagnosis
To help diagnose GAD, your doctor or mental health professional may:
· Do a physical exam to look for signs that your anxiety might be linked to medications or an underlying medical condition.
· Order blood or urine tests or other tests, if a medical condition is suspected.
