Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD for short) is a disorder that affects many people, and leaves individuals worrying about ordinary events in their everyday lives. Individuals feel that something terrible is about to happen, and find themselves in a constant state of distress about family and friends, their health, and money issues to name just a few — the list is literally endless. This irrational fear, or dread, can easily start to take over an individual’s life and can seriously interfere with the things that we take for granted, such as being able to go to work, enjoy social events, or be in a healthy relationship.
The Symptoms of Anxiety
While anxiety affects a person’s thought process, it also manifests itself in physical symptoms such as headaches and restlessness, tiredness or lethargy, a short temper, shaking and trouble going to sleep. While the exact cause of anxiety remains a mystery, it has been proven that various factors can contribute to the development of anxiety. These factors include the genetic make up of the person, brain chemistry, and also a person’s environment.
A connection has been found between GAD and abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are the chemicals that relay electrical signals between nerve cells, and when these become imbalanced the brain is unable to interpret the signals properly. In turn, this modifies a person’s reaction to situations and events, and causes anxiety. Anxiety occurs when individuals witness unpleasant events, such as trauma, violence, bereavement and unemployment. All of these events can cause anxiety and this feeling becomes multiplied if the person is also suffering from high levels of stress.
How to Treat Anxiety
Mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists and psychologists are trained to diagnose and treat all mental illnesses, including anxiety. The treatment includes a mixture of medication, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, this is especially helpful for patients whose anxiety has started to seriously interfere with their daily lives. The most common type of medication for anxiety are tranquillizers, which act to increase relaxation and allow the patient to feel calm while also reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety. By highlighting the factors or events that lead to troubling feelings, cognitive-behavioral therapy allows patients to change their thought and behavior patterns, it gives patients a realistic approach towards the things they worry about and therefore reduces the irrational feelings of dread.
Unfortunately, GAD cannot be prevented; however, there are plenty of ways in which it can be monitored and controlled. Some of the easiest steps a person can take include reducing the amount of caffeine intake by cutting back on coffee, chocolate and tea. Eating a well balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise are also important. There are several herbal remedies available, but it is always best to consult with your doctor before buying any over the counter medicines. Finally, if you are finding it hard to cope with an event or disturbing experience, seek out the support of a counselor who can help you overcome your anxiety.
