Every person can experience anxiety from time to time for a variety of reasons. However, for people who are diagnosed with GAD, worry is frequently usually unrealistic or out of proportion to the situation. Worry, fear, and dread fills every aspect of daily life. Anxiety can eventually take over a person's thinking to the point where they find it difficult to perform routine tasks at work or school, socially, or in their relationships. Generalised anxiety disorder can be developed during adulthood or childhood.
Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can vary. They could include:
- Excessive anxiety and/or worry that occurs in most days
- The anxiety and worry can be related to a number of activities or events (e.g. work or school performance)
- The anxiety and worry are difficult to control
- The anxiety and worry are associated with some of these symptoms:
- Restlessness or being on edge
- Fatigue
- Concentration difficulties
- Muscle tension
- Difficulties with sleep (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep)
- The anxiety or worry are causing significant distress and are affecting the daily functioning regarding social, occupational, or other areas of life
- The symptoms are not associated with the effects of a substance or other medical or mental disorder
There are some symptom variations in children and teenagers because their worries may differ from those of adults. Children and teenagers may worry about:
- School or sports achievements
- Fitting in with their peers
- Feeling confident
- Seeking approval from others
- The safety of their family members
- Natural disasters such as earthquakes
The global mean 12-month prevalence of the disorder is 1.3 percent, with a range of 0.2 percent to 4.3 percent.
Individuals who show symptoms that meet the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder earlier in life tend to have more comorbidity and impairment, if they go without early intervention. With the right treatment methods, clients can learn to adjust and cope with their symptoms and prevent them from affecting their daily life activities.
Even though some anxiety is normal, consult your doctor if You believe you are worrying excessively, which is affecting your work, relationships, or other aspects of your life.
Decisions about treatment options are made based on how severely generalised anxiety disorder impairs clients' daily functioning. Psychotherapy and medications are the most commonly used treatments for generalised anxiety disorder. A combination of the two options may be most beneficial in some situations. It may also take some trial and error to determine which treatments are most effective for clients diagnosed with GAD. These treatment methods help alleviate anxiety so that it does not take over one’s life.
Psychotherapy:
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or psychological counselling, implies working with a mental health professional to decrease the symptoms of anxiety. For GAD, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy. CBT, which is typically a short-term treatment, focuses on teaching clients specific skills to directly manage their worries and help them gradually return to the activities they have been avoiding due to their anxiety.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is another treatment option for GAD. ACT approaches negative thoughts differently than CBT and employs strategies such as mindfulness and goal setting to alleviate discomfort and anxiety. Different therapies work for different people, which is why it is beneficial to discuss different therapy modalities with a professional to identify the best option for you.
Medications:
Several medications, including those listed below, are often used to treat generalised anxiety disorder.
- Antidepressants: selective seretonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)
- Anti-anxiety medications: buspirone
- Benzodiazepines
Other lifestyle habits:
There are certain lifestyle habits, alongside the main treatment process, that you can adopt in order to lessen the severity of your symptoms.
- Educating yourself.
- Maintaining a journal.
- Avoid using harmful substances such as alcohol or recreational drugs.
- Cut down on smoking or drinking coffee.
- Being physically active.
- Practicing relaxation techniques.
- Maintaining a healthy diet.
- Joining a support group.