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ME By Arthur Buchanan | Published 12/21/2005 | Psychology |
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View all articles by Arthur Buchanan
Visit Arthur Buchanan Website GAD & ME Generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD) is much more than the normal anxiety people
experience day to day. It's chronic and fills one's day with
exaggerated worry and tension, even though there is little or
nothing 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. Their worries are accompanied by physical
symptoms, especially fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle
aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching,
irritability, sweating, and hot flashes.
People with GAD may feel lightheaded or out of breath. They
also may feel nauseated or have to go to the bathroom
frequently.Individuals with GAD seem unable to relax, and they
may startle more easily than other people. They tend to have
difficulty concentrating, too. Often, they have trouble falling
or staying asleep.
Unlike people with several other anxiety disorders, people with
GAD don't characteristically avoid certain situations as a
result of their disorder. When impairment associated with GAD is
mild, people with the disorder may be able to function in social
settings or on the job. If severe, however, GAD can be very
debilitating, making it difficult to carry out even the most
ordinary daily activities.
GAD affects about 4 million adult Americans and about twice as
many women as men. The disorder comes on gradually and can begin
across the life cycle, though the risk is highest between
childhood and middle age. It is diagnosed when someone spends at
least 6 months worrying excessively about a number of everyday
problems. There is evidence that genes play a modest role in GAD.
GAD is commonly treated with medications. GAD rarely occurs
alone, however; it is usually accompanied by another anxiety
disorder, depression, or substance abuse. These other conditions
must be treated along with GAD.
For More Information
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Office of
Communications Public Inquiries: (301) 443-4513 Media Inquiries:
(301) 443-4536 E-mail:
nimhinfo@nih.gov Web site:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
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