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An Introduction to Generalized Anxiety Disorder
-- "I always thought I was just a worrier. I'd feel keyed
up and unable to relax. At times it would come and go, and at
times it would be constant. It could go on for days. I'd worry
about what I was going to fix for a dinner party, or what would
be a great present for somebody. I just couldn't let something
go."
-- "I'd have terrible sleeping problems. There were times
I'd wake up wired in the morning or in the middle of the night.
I had trouble concentrating, even reading the newspaper or a
novel. Sometimes I'd feel a little lightheaded. My heart would
race or pound. And that would make me worry more."
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is much more than
the normal anxiety people experience day to day. It's
chronic and exaggerated worry and tension, even though
nothing seems to provoke it. Having this disorder means
always anticipating disaster, often worrying excessively
about health, money, family, or work. Sometimes, though,
the source of the worry is hard to pinpoint. Simply
the thought of getting through the day provokes anxiety.
People with GAD can't seem to shake their concerns,
even though they usually realize that their anxiety
is more intense than the situation warrants. People
with GAD also seem unable to relax. They often have
trouble falling or staying asleep. Their worries are
accompanied by physical symptoms, especially trembling,
twitching, muscle tension, headaches, irritability,
sweating, or hot flashes. They may feel lightheaded
or out of breath. They may feel nauseated or have to
go to the bathroom frequently. Or they might feel as
though they have a lump in the throat.
Many individuals with GAD startle more easily than
other people. They tend to feel tired, have trouble
concentrating, and sometimes suffer depression, too.
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Usually the impairment associated with GAD is mild and people
with the disorder don't feel too restricted in social settings
or on the job. Unlike many other anxiety disorders, people with
GAD don't characteristically avoid certain situations as a result
of their disorder. However, if severe, GAD can be very debilitating,
making it difficult to carry out even the most ordinary daily
activities.
GAD comes on gradually and most often hits people in childhood
or adolescence, but can begin in adulthood, too. It's more common
in women than in men and often occurs in relatives of affected
persons. It's diagnosed when someone spends at least 6 months
worried excessively about a number of everyday problems.
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Having GAD means always anticipating disaster, often worrying
excessively about health, money, family, or work. Worries are
often accompanied by physical symptoms like trembling, muscle
tension, and nausea.
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In general, the symptoms of GAD seem to diminish with age.
Successful treatment may include a medication called buspirone.
Research into the effectiveness of other medications, such as
benzodiazepines and antidepressants, is ongoing. Also useful
are cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, and
biofeedback to control muscle tension.
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-excerpted from the National Institutes of Health, Publication
97-3879
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