Generalized Anxiety Disorder

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Generalized anxiety disorder is also called GAD. It is a condition where, for at least six months and sometimes without reason, you are worried, anxious, or nervous. The anxiety may be much more severe than the event causing the worry or anxiety. Because of the anxiety, you may not be able to do your daily activities. Symptoms of GAD may appear after physical or emotional stress, such as the loss of a loved one. GAD is more common in women and those 25 years or younger. Tests will be done to be certain your physical health is good. Other tests will be done to learn if you have GAD. Counseling, medicine, or both are used to treat GAD.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Monitoring your condition:

Keep a diary of your anxiety attacks. Bring the diary with you every time you see your caregiver. Some things to record in the diary include the following:

• What were you doing when the anxiety attack started?
  
  
• Did you eat anything unusual or take a new medicine or herbal supplement?
  
  
• Were you stressed or upset just before the attack?
  
  
• How often do you have attacks? How long do they last?
  
  
• What were your thoughts and feelings during the attack?
  
  
• What body symptoms did you have?
  
  
• Did anything help ease or stop the attack, such as a relaxation technique?

Diet:

• Avoid caffeinated drinks: Caffeine is in some coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate.
  
  
• Do not drink too much alcohol: Alcohol is in beer, wine, liquor, such as vodka and whiskey, and other adult drinks. If you drink alcohol, talk to your caregiver about ways to limit your alcohol intake.

Manage your stress:

Stress may slow healing and lead to illness. Learn ways to control stress, such as relaxation, deep breathing, and music. Talk to someone about things that upset you.

For support and more information:

Having generalized anxiety disorder is a life-changing condition for you and your family. Accepting that you have GAD may be hard. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Encourage those close to you to talk to your caregiver about how things are at home. Your caregiver can help your family better understand how to support a person with GAD. You may want to join a support group with other people who have GAD. Contact the following organizations for more information:

• Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)
  8730 Georgia Avenue, Suite 600
  Silver Spring , MD 20910
  Phone: 1- 240 - 485-1001
  Web Address: http://www.adaa.org
  

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Public Information & Communication Branch
  6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
  Bethesda , MD 20892-9663
  Phone: 1- 301 - 443-4513
  Phone: 1- 866 - 615-6464
  Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have new symptoms since you last saw your caregiver.
  
  
• Your anxiety keeps you from doing your daily activities, such as self-care, family, or work.
  
  
• You have problems that you think may be caused by the medicine you are taking.
  
  
• Your symptoms are getting worse.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your illness, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You feel like fainting or are lightheaded or too dizzy to stand up.
  
  
• You feel like hurting yourself or someone else.
  
  
• You have chest pain, tightness, or heaviness that may spread to your shoulders, arms, jaw, neck, or back.
  
  
  • This is an emergency. Call 911 or 0 operator. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
    
    

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Discharge Care)