| Anxiety Disorder |
Acute/Severe Anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
General anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety
disorder that is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about
everyday things. The frequency, intensity, and duration of the worry are
disproportionate to the actual source of worry, and such worry often interferes
with daily functioning.
GAD sufferers often worry excessively over things such as their job, their
finances, or the health of themselves and their family. However, GAD sufferers
can also worry over more minor matters such as deadlines for appointments,
keeping the house clean, and whether or not their workspace is properly
organized.
For a diagnosis of GAD to be made, worry about a number of events or
activities must be present more days than not for at least six months. In
addition, three or more of the following six physical/somatic symptoms must be
present:
Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
Being easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
Irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance
The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms must cause clinically significant
interference and/or distress, and must not be better accounted for by another
disorder.
Potential Causes of GAD
Some research suggests that GAD may run in families, and it may also grow
worse during stress. GAD usually begins at an earlier age and symptoms may
manifest themselves more slowly than in most other anxiety disorders. Some
people with GAD report onset in early adulthood, usually in response to a life
stressor. Once GAD develops, it is generally chronic.
Treatment
Treatments for GAD include medications and cognitive behavioral therapy. A
combination of the two has proved the most effective in alleviating symptoms;
medication alone may reduce some anxiety but will not eliminate it entirely.
GAD and Depression
In the National Comorbidity Survey (2005), more than 50% of patients
diagnosed with major depression were found to have an anxiety disorder.
Conversely, patients suffering from an anxiety disorder exhibited an extremely
high rate of depression. For many, the symptoms of both depression and
anxiety are not severe enough to justify a primary diagnosis of either major
depressive disorder (MDD) or an anxiety disorder.
Patients can also be categorized as having mixed anxiety-depressive disorder,
and they are at significantly increased risk of developing full-blown depression
or anxiety. Appropriate treatment is necessary to alleviate symptoms and
prevent the emergence of more serious disease.[citation needed]
Accumulating evidence indicates that patients with suffering from both
depression and anxiety tend to have greater illness severity and a lower
treatment response than those with either disorder alone. In addition, social
function and quality of life are more greatly impaired.
In addition to coexisting with depression, research shows that GAD often
coexists with substance abuse or other conditions associated with stress, such
as irritable bowel syndrome. Patients with physical symptoms such as
insomnia or headaches should also tell their doctors about their feelings of
worry and tension. This will help the patient's health care provider to recognize
whether the person is suffering from GAD.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
General anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety
disorder that is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about
everyday things. The frequency, intensity, and duration of the worry are
disproportionate to the actual source of worry, and such worry often interferes
with daily functioning.
GAD sufferers often worry excessively over things such as their job, their
finances, or the health of themselves and their family. However, GAD sufferers
can also worry over more minor matters such as deadlines for appointments,
keeping the house clean, and whether or not their workspace is properly
organized.
For a diagnosis of GAD to be made, worry about a number of events or
activities must be present more days than not for at least six months. In
addition, three or more of the following six physical/somatic symptoms must be
present:
Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
Being easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
Irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance
The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms must cause clinically significant
interference and/or distress, and must not be better accounted for by another
disorder.
Potential Causes of GAD
Some research suggests that GAD may run in families, and it may also grow
worse during stress. GAD usually begins at an earlier age and symptoms may
manifest themselves more slowly than in most other anxiety disorders. Some
people with GAD report onset in early adulthood, usually in response to a life
stressor. Once GAD develops, it is generally chronic.
Treatment
Treatments for GAD include medications and cognitive behavioral therapy. A
combination of the two has proved the most effective in alleviating symptoms;
medication alone may reduce some anxiety but will not eliminate it entirely.
GAD and Depression
In the National Comorbidity Survey (2005), more than 50% of patients
diagnosed with major depression were found to have an anxiety disorder.
Conversely, patients suffering from an anxiety disorder exhibited an extremely
high rate of depression. For many, the symptoms of both depression and
anxiety are not severe enough to justify a primary diagnosis of either major
depressive disorder (MDD) or an anxiety disorder.
Patients can also be categorized as having mixed anxiety-depressive disorder,
and they are at significantly increased risk of developing full-blown depression
or anxiety. Appropriate treatment is necessary to alleviate symptoms and
prevent the emergence of more serious disease.[citation needed]
Accumulating evidence indicates that patients with suffering from both
depression and anxiety tend to have greater illness severity and a lower
treatment response than those with either disorder alone. In addition, social
function and quality of life are more greatly impaired.
In addition to coexisting with depression, research shows that GAD often
coexists with substance abuse or other conditions associated with stress, such
as irritable bowel syndrome. Patients with physical symptoms such as
insomnia or headaches should also tell their doctors about their feelings of
worry and tension. This will help the patient's health care provider to recognize
whether the person is suffering from GAD.
| The information provided on these pages are intended as a educational public service. New studies often change our understanding of how to diagnose and treat these illnesses and direct contact with the appropriate, licensed mental health professional prior to treatment is always recommended. |
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