What is General Anxiety Disorder GAD GAD is a chronic problem that causes excessive anxiety and irrational fear GAD can cause people to worry about a variety of things, including their health, finances and family members, as well as work The worry is centered around the future and seem unlikely to be a reality It isn't known what causes GAD but genetics and problems with certain parts of the brain could be involved Treatment options include medication and therapy for talk Symptoms Anxiety is a natural response to stress However, if it becomes chronic or persistent it can disrupt everyday activities It can trigger headaches, nausea, or tension in the muscles It can also lead to issues like difficulty working or studying and issues with social relationships and relationships There are many different treatments that can help with anxiety disorders These include psychotherapy and medications Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental disorder characterized by irrational, excessive worry People suffering from GAD worry about everyday issues, such as their health, finances, family, jobs, and the future They believe that they're constantly in danger, even though there's no reason for them to be worried They can be worried for a time and appear out of thin air People with social anxiety disorder SAD have a fearful attitude of interacting with other people particularly in a group or one-onone They're concerned that they'll do or say something that could make them look embarrassed or make them look foolish The fear of being embarrassed, shaking, and heart palpitations are all possible symptoms People suffering from SAD tend to avoid or limit their social activities that can affect their job performance and social life The majority of people respond well to treatment for anxiety disorders Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help people overcome their negative attitudes and behaviors that contribute to anxiety Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT is a type of therapy that involves talking It helps people recognize and correct thoughts that are distorted and cause panic attacks and anxiety It also helps the patient learn how to handle fearful situations Some physical symptoms such as nausea and dizziness can be cured by taking medications They can also help those suffering from anxiety rest better and sleep better Antidepressants such as SSRIs, Lexapro, Escitalopram or SNRIs, fluoxetine, Prozac, are typically prescribed to treat anxiety disorders Doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants like tricyclics and monoamine oxide inhibitors MAOIs that work differently and are less effective but they can be used in conjunction with other medicines to treat anxiety It is crucial to keep taking medication for anxiety disorders The abrupt discontinuation of medication can cause more symptoms Certain over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements can also aggravate anxiety, so it's recommended to consult an expert in health prior to taking them Treatment When you feel anxious, it is normal, if your anxieties are affecting your day-to-day life and making you feel miserable, see your doctor Your doctor will ask you questions and refer you to a mental health provider to diagnose and treat It isn't known what causes anxiety disorders, but certain life events and traumatic experiences seem to increase your risk of developing them Genetically predisposed individuals can also develop anxiety disorders Your doctor can assess the severity of the symptoms using various tests and screening tools For instance, the GAD-7 scale, developed by Drs Spitzer, Williams Monahan and Kroenke are self-reporting tools that can be helpful in diagnosing GAD Medications can significantly reduce anxiety, especially when taken regularly and as prescribed Antidepressants, which are frequently recommended to treat anxiety disorder, are among the most effective drugs available Both prescription and over-the-counter versions are available Many people steer clear of them due to the fear that they will become dependent, however, unlike painkillers, sleeping pills and sedatives antidepressants don't cause dependence Psychotherapy is another option for treating anxiety Sometimes called talk therapy, this form of treatment can teach you strategies to deal with your symptoms and stop them from becoming worse Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT is a popular type of psychotherapy that helps people identify negative and threatening thoughts and behaviors and change them CBT has been found to be as effective in treating anxiety as medication in some studies Other forms of psychotherapy include mindfulness training, acceptance-commitment therapy ACT, or interpersonal therapy Although there isn't much research on these treatments however, they could provide a different approach to treating anxiety and can be worth trying Lifestyle changes can also benefit Regular exercise can improve mood and decrease anxiety A healthy diet can also help reduce the effects of stress Spend time with your family and friends and engage in a new pastime, or join a support group for people suffering from anxiety Diagnosis Every person experiences anxiety at times particularly when confronted with an overwhelming task like an interview However, GAD is different because people suffering from it feel anxious all the time not just a portion of the time They also struggle to manage their anxiety and tend to think that they are in the dark about the smallest of issues This includes health, money, family problems and school or work performance Worries may float from one issue to the next and be present for months or years Doctors diagnose anxiety disorders based on the symptoms and how they affect their daily lives They will ask you about your past health and conduct tests to determine whether you have any physical reasons for your symptoms, such as thyroid disease or heart disease They will also check for other mental conditions like depression There are no lab tests for GAD, but your healthcare provider will test your blood pressure, heart rate and thyroid function They will also ask questions about your lifestyle and look at your history of anxiety You could be more prone to anxiety disorders when you have an history of anxiety disorders in your family or if you have had a difficult childhood Certain medications and substances can also increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder GAD is more prevalent in women than males, and usually begins around the age of 30 but it can develop at any time in life It is a condition that can last for a lifetime however it can be treated with medication and psychotherapy talk therapy Treatment options may include one or both of these therapies The use of medication can help ease the anxiety and its physical symptoms, including headaches, muscle tension and shaking Psychotherapy can help you to alter negative thoughts that can cause stress and anxiety You can also try relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation to help manage anxiety and reduce its symptoms Some people find that exercise or other activities that help them concentrate their minds can help ease anxiety, too Prevention Talk therapy and medications can be beneficial for those with anxiety disorders Some people also use techniques for relaxation, diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes to help control their symptoms Talk therapies teach people to identify and overcome negative thoughts that cause anxiety These treatments include cognitive behavior therapy in which individuals are taught to alter their thinking patterns and exposure therapy where they face fears one at a time In the short-term, medications can be used to alleviate symptoms Therapy is the primarystay Generalized anxiety disorder GAD is characterised by frequent and over-exaggerated feelings of worry or dread over a variety of things These emotions are difficult to manage and tend to last longer than six months The people with GAD might have a difficult time telling what they're concerned about, and their worries typically don't have a clear cause Typical concerns include health, money, family and friends working, and other day-to-day activities They fret about "what-ifs" like their children getting into trouble or their home burning down In https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-disorders to creating anxiety, anxiety can also interfere with the ability of a person to perform everyday tasks like work and school It can cause sleep problems and aches and discomforts It also increases the likelihood of a person developing other mental health issues, such as depression It can also affect relationships and the level of living Certain aspects make people more likely to develop an anxiety disorder These are referred to as risk factors They can be triggered by having a history of other mental health issues as well as having a family member with an anxiety disorder Physical and emotional abuse in childhood can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders later in life Certain medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease or thyroid problems, can also cause anxiety and are sometimes the first sign of an issue As a side-effect certain medications can trigger anxiety Certain herbal supplements and over-the prescription medications can also increase anxiety, so it is recommended that people consult with a doctor prior to when they take these products Alcohol, nicotine and other drugs can cause the symptoms to worsen