Generalized Anxiety Disorder The majority of people experience anxiety when faced with the new challenge, however with GAD the worries are much more frequent and exaggerated The worries can range from work or financial health, family health and money to upcoming events and events Psychotherapy and medication can assist people manage their symptoms Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that teaches new ways of thinking and responding to situations Signs and symptoms Everyone is anxious from time to time However, when this anxiety is constant, it can be crippling People with GAD have a hard time controlling their anxiety and feel unable to stop thinking about finances, health, family, work or other matters They tend to anticipate catastrophe and the worst outcome for every situation, even if there is no reason to believe their worries are justifiable GAD symptoms include excessive worrying, restlessness and difficulty sleeping They may also experience tension in muscles, sweating, and trembling You might also experience dry mouth or difficulty swallowing These symptoms can also make it difficult to focus and keep up with work or school The reason for GAD is not completely known, but genetics and life events are involved The brain neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid could cause some people to be more susceptible to it Additionally, life events that have been traumatic and stress can trigger episodes of anxiety GAD symptoms can start at any time Women are twice as prone to develop GAD as males GAD can be severe, mild, or chronic There are many different ways to treat GAD Psychotherapy and medication are the most common treatments Talk therapy is also referred to by the name of psychotherapy It involves working with a professional in order to develop new ways of thinking and acting that could aid in reducing anxiety Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is an extensively researched form of psychotherapy, is commonly employed to treat GAD People suffering from GAD can benefit by making changes to their lifestyle by exercising regularly in a healthy way, sleeping enough and employing relaxation techniques It is also important to eat a healthy diet and stay clear of alcohol, caffeine cigarettes, tobacco and illegal substances Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication for GAD However, there are also other options These medications are prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist Some people with GAD benefit from practicing mindfulness meditation, which has been shown to reduce levels of stress hormones within the body Other options include hypnosis, Acupuncture, and light therapy GAD can be a long-term problem, but generally speaking it can be improved with psychotherapy and medication Diagnosis Anxiety is a normal emotion that your brain uses for reacting to stress and alerting you to the possibility of danger Everybody experiences anxiety from time to time for instance, when confronted with a difficult problem at work or during a medical examination People suffering from anxiety disorders experience a lot of excessive worry and fear They also struggle to manage their symptoms, which can affect their everyday life It is possible to avoid social events like going out with friends or attending family gatherings because of the symptoms of anxiety disorders With treatment, you can manage your symptoms to live a healthy, happy life A mental health specialist can diagnose generalized anxiety disorder based on your responses to a series of tests and questions They'll ask you about the symptoms and how long you've been experiencing them and the severity of them Your doctor will then suggest the use of psychotherapy talk therapy or medication for your condition Psychotherapy is a form of treatment that assists you to change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behavior It's typically conducted by a trained mental health specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist In some cases your doctor may suggest an approach that is a combination of treatments like psychotherapy or medication About half of people with GAD benefit from treatment These include benzodiazepine medicines that help to calm the mind antidepressants, benzodiazepine, and the antianxiety medication buspirone People with GAD also have to develop coping skills and make lifestyle adjustments to manage their symptoms GAD is often associated with other mental disorders, like substance abuse and depression The co-occurrence of these disorders can intensify the symptoms and diminish your ability to respond to treatment Research has shown that a combination treatment is the most effective way to combat GAD Relaxation techniques as well as improving your physical fitness and engaging in psychotherapy are all effective treatments for GAD The use of medication can help ease certain symptoms, but it's important to discuss the use of medications with your physician Too much prescription medication can result in dependence and adverse effects Treatment GAD is an illness that affects children and adults It is more prevalent in women than men The condition affects both children and adults, and it is more common in women than men It's also more likely to be seen in family members who have a history of depression or anxiety The first step in treating GAD is seeing a mental health professional This can be psychiatrists for children and adolescents psychologist, psychologist or psychiatric nurse practitioner or social worker A physical exam, such as the blood pressure test, and questionnaires are often used to help diagnose the condition GAD is best treated through the combination of treatment with medication and psychological Psychological treatments for the disorder concentrate on addressing the root of anxiety and teaching how to manage it While you're working on your treatment, medications are prescribed to help reduce the severity of symptoms Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT teaches you how to recognize and confront harmful thoughts that trigger anxiety It teaches you to change your behavior and gradually return to activities that you've avoided due to anxiety CBT is more effective than medication alone It is essential to find a doctor who has experience using CBT for anxiety disorders and has had success in treating them in the past Antidepressants, muscle relaxants and sedatives are among the most commonly used medications to treat generalized anxious disorder Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication for you It is also essential to locate a support group that can help you manage your condition Talking to your loved ones or someone who has had GAD themselves, can be very beneficial In addition you should try to engage in some form of physical activity every day to soothe your nervous system and reduce stress A strenuous walk or yoga session, or gardening can be beneficial in relieving tension A lack of social interaction could also lead to anxiety Spending time with your family and friends regularly is essential Prevention It's normal to be occasionally anxious When worries and fears become constant, they can cause problems In generalized https//etextpadcom/ GAD people experience an overwhelming, general feeling of anxiety or dread that colors their whole life They always anticipate disaster and are unable to relax or calm their thoughts It can be mentally and physically exhausting GAD is distinct from depression and phobias, which usually focus on one particular problem People suffering from GAD frequently worry about a variety of things over a long period of time, and are unable to pinpoint the exact cause of their anxiety GAD is believed to be caused by a combination factors Genetics, brain chemistry and environmental stresses may all play a role Researchers are unable to determine the cause of GAD however it is believed to be prevalent in families GAD symptoms are caused by changes in the balance of certain brain chemicals that control emotions and mood Psychotherapies and medications that target these neurotransmitters may ameliorate symptoms Other factors that can contribute to the development of GAD include temperament and family history People who are timid or shy or have a history of traumatic experiences are more susceptible to anxiety disorders than others Children with parents who suffers from anxiety disorders are more likely to develop one themselves Strategies for self-help and professional assistance are both a part of the treatment for GAD Self-help techniques include meditation, relaxation, and exercises It is also essential to get enough sleep and eat a balanced and healthy diet Psychotherapy can help reduce anxiety by teaching coping strategies and utilizing exposure therapy Exposure therapy is the practice of deliberately putting yourself in situations that you would normally avoid Gradually you advance to longer and more intense sessions during which you try to resist the urge to leave, use relaxation and coping statements and gradually reduce the time you spend in the feared situation It is also beneficial to get all the information you can about your health condition You can do this by reading books, surfing the Internet or consulting a medical professional It's important to understand what is causing your anxiety and recognize that your fears are not rational