Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder
What causes generalized anxiety disorder?
There are a few key causes believed to contribute to GAD:
Brain Chemistry
Research shows people with GAD have different brain functions
Childhood Trauma
Abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences in childhood are
Genetics
GAD seems to run in families, indicating a possible hereditary
Personality
People with tendencies like neuroticism and perfectionism
Common symptoms of GAD
Both physical and psychological symptoms are present with GAD, including:
Chronic, exaggerated worry about everyday life events like work, health, family, and finances
Inability to control the constant worry
Restlessness and keyed-up feelings
Fatigue, insomnia, and muscle tension
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Sweating, nausea, and diarrhoea
Trembling, tingling, and feeling on edge
Types of worries with generalized anxiety
People with GAD may obsess over things like:
Finances and money management
Interpersonal relationships
Professional performance and competence
World or environmental catastrophes
Safety/security of loved ones
Treatment options for GAD
GAD is highly treatable through a combination of:
Medications like SSRIs and SNRIs to correct neurotransmitter imbalances
Cognitive-behavioral therapy to change negative thought habits
Psychodynamic therapies to get to the roots of the anxieties involved.
Relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing
Regular aerobic exercise which alleviates anxiety
Avoiding caffeine and illicit drugs that can worsen symptoms
Support groups to share coping strategies and realize symptoms are not unique
While GAD causes significant life interference, evidence-based treatment provides support to gain back control and significantly reduce chronic feelings of apprehension and worry.