Generalized Anxiety Disorder

What is generalized anxiety disorder?

Generalized anxiety disorder is also called GAD. It is a condition where, for at least six months and 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. GAD is more common in women and those 25 years or younger.

What causes generalized anxiety disorder?

No one knows for sure what causes GAD. Usually, GAD appears after physical or emotional stress, such as the loss of a loved one. Other factors that may make you more likely to have GAD are the following:

• Having a close family member with an anxiety disorder.
  
  
• Learning or memory problems.
  
  
• Long-term conditions, such as diabetes, depression, drug abuse, and alcoholism.
  
  
• Pregnancy or after delivery of the baby.

What are the signs and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder?

With GAD, you may have symptoms like those of a serious health problem, such as a heart problem. You may have any of the following symptoms:

• Physical changes:
  
  
  • Fatigue (feeling more tired than usual).
    
    
  • Muscle tightness.
    
    
  • Restlessness.
    
    
  • Shaking.
    
    
  • Sleep problems.
    
    
  • Headaches
  
  
• Emotional changes:
  
  
  • Easily startled.
    
    
  • Feeling jumpy.
    
    
  • Problem focusing on a task.
  
  
• Other signs and symptoms:
  
  
  • Cold hands.
    
    
  • Dizziness.
    
    
  • Dry mouth.
    
    
  • Rapid heart beat.
    
    
  • Shortness of breath.

How is generalized anxiety disorder diagnosed?

• Psychiatric assessment: Caregivers will ask if you have a history of psychological trauma, such as physical, sexual, or mental abuse. They will ask if you were given the care that you needed. Caregivers will ask you if you have been a victim of a crime or natural disaster, or if you have a serious injury or disease. They will ask you if you have seen other people being harmed, such as in combat. You will be asked if you drink alcohol or use drugs at present or in the past. Caregivers will ask you if you want to hurt or kill yourself or others. How you answer these questions can help caregivers decide on treatment. To help during treatment, caregivers will ask you about such things as how you feel about it and your hobbies and goals. Caregivers will also ask you about the people in your life who support you.
  
  
• Tests and evaluation: You may need to have certain tests to help caregivers learn if there is a medical problem causing your symptoms. Caregivers will ask you about your signs and symptoms. You have GAD if you have the following:
  
  
  • In the past six months, you are anxious and worried more often than not.
    
    
  • Have problems controlling worry.
    
    
  • Your anxiety and worry are linked with three or more of the following:
    
    
    • You are easily irritated.
      
      
    • You are restless, feel keyed up, or on edge.
      
      
    • You tire easily.
      
      
    • You have trouble focusing on a task or your mind goes blank.
      
      
    • You have problems falling asleep or staying asleep.
      
      
    • Your muscles feel tight.
    
    
  • Your anxiety and worry are not caused by another disorder, such as a panic disorder.
    
    
  • Your anxiety, worry, and physical symptoms cause problems in your daily activities, such as with family or work.
    
    
  • Your symptoms are not due to other problems. These problems include side effects of a medicine, substance abuse, or a health problem.

How is generalized anxiety disorder treated?

You may have any of the following:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: This is also CBT therapy and involves changing your emotions by changing your behavior. You may have any of the following therapies:
  
  
  • Cognitive restructuring: Caregivers help you learn which thoughts produce anxiety. These thoughts are replaced with more pleasant ones.
    
    
  
  
  
  • Exposure therapy: Exposure or desensitization therapy helps you face a feared object, person, or situation. Fantasy (not real) or real-life situations are used with this therapy. The goal of desensitization therapy is to help decrease your fear or anxiety.
    
    
  • Relaxation therapy: Relaxation therapy teaches you how to calm your body and mind. The goal is to feel less physical (body) stress and have less emotional (mind) stress.
  
  
• Medicine: GAD may be treated with anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medicine.

Where can you get support and more information?

Having generalized anxiety disorder is a life-changing disease 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/
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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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.

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