Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by unjustified, irrational worry that goes beyond the control of normal boundaries in the everyday world. It is a condition where a person takes worrying to a different level.
Excessive and irrational fear cause concerns about everyday matters to be overly exaggerated. Sometimes these worries become unrealistic and unexplainable causing disruption to daily lives. Issues such as family, employment, money and health are scrutinized to a point of frenzy – inability to stop this situation results to one ending up with this anxiety disorder.
GAD affects more women compared to men. Factors such as history of anxiety disorder in the family, stress and environmental aspects do contribute to make GAD a very common form of disorder affecting millions of people around the globe. Prolonged feeling of being depressed is common among individuals suffering from generalized anxiety disorder.
A person who is suffering of GAD usually exhibits consistent symptoms for a minimum period of six months. This can include physical symptoms such as headaches, irritability, muscle tension, tiring easily, trembling, insomnia and stomach problems.
GAD is not terminal. It is treatable using therapy based and non-therapy based treatment. Therapy treatment consists of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It starts by suggesting basic behavioral change that can help alter the feeling towards a specific fear. This is done with all other things being status quo. It is a short-term treatment that can produce results in less than six months.
Willingness to open up, talk and eventually change is important to progress and finally succeed. Sufferers are guided through their fears and encouraged to come up with behavior they deem fit the situation. Non-therapy based treatment involves the usage of prescribed drugs. Stress and worries can be reduced with a more permanent solution – medication.
Relaxation techniques are also helpful in combating GAD. This is especially effective for those going through mild stress and physical symptoms of anxiety disorder. Simple breathing techniques are introduced to promote relaxation. The body undergoes a series of stretches and relaxing of the muscles beneficial for the general well being of a person. Upon successful completion of treatment, people with a mild case of GAD can usually return to their pre-anxiety lives and resume performing normal daily functions.