Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of many forms of anxiety disorder, this one being characterized by constant worry and panic about day to day things.
This unjustified worry can, in many cases, seriously affect the quality of life of sufferers.
Symptoms and Diagnosis There are many symptoms, both physical and psychological, that are common in those people with GAD.
Dizzy spells, headaches, heart palpitations or irregular heart rhythms, tiredness, uncontrollable sweating, insomnia, and twitching muscles are some of the most common ones.
A doctor will look at the symptoms and their frequency when diagnosing someone with generalized anxiety disorder.
A formal diagnosis will require a certain number of these symptoms to have been present for at least 6 months.
Treatment For GAD Treatment options for people with GAD are anti-anxiety medication (such as sedatives or anti-depressants), cognitive behavioral therapy, and various relaxation methods (yoga, meditation, breathing exercises etc.
).
Who Does It Affect? In the United States alone there are more than 6 million people with generalized anxiety disorder.
Many believe this number to be higher, but GAD is often misdiagnosed or goes undiagnosed for many years.
The true number may even reach into the tens of millions.
GAD also affects children in equal measure, but as with adults, they are often misdiagnosed for long periods of time with their conditions written off as shyness, a lack of confidence, learning disorders.
What Causes GAD? While no one truly knows what causes GAD, most experts are confident that it may run in families, not just because the condition may be hereditary, but also because lifestyle factors and a child's upbringing can all contribute to the developing of GAD.
This unjustified worry can, in many cases, seriously affect the quality of life of sufferers.
Symptoms and Diagnosis There are many symptoms, both physical and psychological, that are common in those people with GAD.
Dizzy spells, headaches, heart palpitations or irregular heart rhythms, tiredness, uncontrollable sweating, insomnia, and twitching muscles are some of the most common ones.
A doctor will look at the symptoms and their frequency when diagnosing someone with generalized anxiety disorder.
A formal diagnosis will require a certain number of these symptoms to have been present for at least 6 months.
Treatment For GAD Treatment options for people with GAD are anti-anxiety medication (such as sedatives or anti-depressants), cognitive behavioral therapy, and various relaxation methods (yoga, meditation, breathing exercises etc.
).
Who Does It Affect? In the United States alone there are more than 6 million people with generalized anxiety disorder.
Many believe this number to be higher, but GAD is often misdiagnosed or goes undiagnosed for many years.
The true number may even reach into the tens of millions.
GAD also affects children in equal measure, but as with adults, they are often misdiagnosed for long periods of time with their conditions written off as shyness, a lack of confidence, learning disorders.
What Causes GAD? While no one truly knows what causes GAD, most experts are confident that it may run in families, not just because the condition may be hereditary, but also because lifestyle factors and a child's upbringing can all contribute to the developing of GAD.