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Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic and often disabling condition that is associated with uncontrollable worry and tension. The vicious cycle of anxiety and worry interferes with relationships, careers, and education, and often leads to depression. This disorder is much more than the normal anxiety that everyone experiences from time to time, and can be crippling in its severity. GAD is unlikely to disappear without proper treatment, and often worsens over time.
Physical manifestations of GAD often include headaches, trembling, twitching, fatigue, irritability, frustration, muscle tension and aches, and inability to concentrate. Sleep disturbances may also occur. Individuals suffering from this disorder may appear to be always tense and unable to relax, or may startle more easily than others. Often they might seem to be constantly moving or fidgeting, unable to sit comfortably through a movie without worrying about something else than needs to be done.
Some research suggests that GAD may run in families, and it may also grow worse during times of stress. Symptoms can begin at any age, but GAD normally appears earlier than the other anxiety disorders.
A. Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).
B. The person finds it difficult to control the worry.
C. The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms (with at least some symptoms present for more days than not for the past 6 months). Note: Only one item is required in children.
(1) restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
D. The focus of the anxiety and worry is not confined to features of an Axis I disorder, e.g., the anxiety or worry is not about having a Panic Attack (as in Panic Disorder), being embarrassed in public (as in Social Phobia), being contaminated (as in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), being away from home or close relatives (as in Separation Anxiety Disorder), gaining weight (as in Anorexia Nervosa), having multiple physical complaints (as in Somatization Disorder), or having a serious illness (as in Hypochondriasis), and the anxiety and worry do not occur exclusively during Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
E. The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
F. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism) and does not occur exclusively during a Mood Disorder, a Psychotic Disorder, or a Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
MEDICATIONS:
Benzodiazepines — Medications such as Klonopin, Ativan, Valium, and Xanax often bring quick relief from the symptoms of anxiety. They are generally used while waiting for other medications to begin working, as addiction and tolerance is possible.
Antidepressants — Antidepressants can be useful in managing anxiety and in treating the depression that often accompanies it. The SSRIs are the most common antidepressants used to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone (BuSpar) — Buspirone is an antianxiety drug that can be effective for generalized anxiety disorder. Some individuals respond very well to this medication, although many do not find it effective in treating all the symptoms of their disorder. Unlike the benzodiazepines, buspirone must be taken consistently for at least two weeks to achieve relief of symptoms.
Beta-blockers - Medications such as propanolol are often used to treat heart conditions but have also been found to be helpful in certain anxiety disorders.
There are a number of different psychotherapy techniques available to treat GAD. Some may be more effective for certain individuals, and all can be used with or without the addition of medications.
Applied relaxation — This method teaches individuals with GAD to control their symptoms by using imagination and muscle control. Relaxation techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing, meditation and visualization, can relieve some of the more troublesome physical symptoms.
Biofeedback — This form of therapy uses special sensors to teach people suffering from GAD to recognize physical symptoms of anxiety, such as pulse, skin temperature and muscle tone, and ways to modify and control the effects of anxiety on the entire body.
CBT - Generalized anxiety often responds very well to cognitive-behavioral therapy, especially when used in conjunction with medication.
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This Site Updated 04/09/11
Feeling restless, keyed up, tense or edgy