Generalized Anxiety Disorder - GAD

What it is and what you can do about it

Some anxiety is normal. Chronic, exaggerated worry is not. Everyone experiences some anxiety even on a daily basis. People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) experience constant anxiety which often has no apparent cause. GAD may be mild and manageable, but, for some people, it is debilitating. It can also cause and/or aggravate additional health problems, both physical and psychological.

Why Worry?

People with GAD often worry about the same problems as everyone else: money, health, families, jobs, etc. The problem is, people with GAD worry excessively and constantly. People without GAD have the ability to put normal worries on hold and focus on daily activity. People with GAD are often distracted by their worries and find it difficult to think about anything else.

Many people with GAD also feel constant anxiety with no apparent cause. They wake up feeling anxious and can never pinpoint a direct cause. The anxiety never seems to disappear throughout the day.

The cause of GAD has yet to be determined, and there is probably more than one possible cause. GAD appears to run in families, so there is probably a genetic factor. A major traumatic or stressful event may sometimes trigger GAD. Another theory is that the person with GAD has internal conflicts which have yet to be resolved. GAD may begin in childhood or later in life. Most likely, GAD has both physiological and psychological components.

Other Symptoms

GAD may cause many unpleasant symptoms:

Headaches
Trembling, twitching
Lightheadedness
Difficulty concentrating
Nausea
Difficulty breathing
Sweating, hot flashes
Change in appetite
Frequent need to use bathroom
Startled easily
Lump in throat, difficulty swallowing
Sleeplessness
Restlessness
Muscle tension
Fatigue

Treatment

A person with excessive anxiety should seek treatment by first having a medical examination. An exam will rule out other possible causes of anxiety. Once good physical health is confirmed, the person should obtain a diagnosis from a psychiatrist or psychologist with experience treating anxiety disorders. Chronic anxiety may be a symptom of other anxiety disorders besides GAD, so these should be ruled out before treatment begins. There might also be other psychological problems present, such as depression, and the mental health provider should be aware of all problems.

Treatment generally includes medication, therapy or a combination. No one treatment method or medication works best for everyone, so the patient and doctor (and/or therapist) should seek to find the best treatment for the individual. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for many people with anxiety disorders. With CBT, the person with GAD learns relaxation and coping skills. Psychodynamic or "talk" therapy may also be effective in helping the person resolve and cope with various issues and conflicts. Effective medications include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and Buspar. Self-help methods and support groups may be helpful in addition to professional treatment.

From Cathleen Henning,