Generalized anxiety disorder (or GAD) is marked by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events for no obvious reason. People with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder tend to always expect disaster and can’t stop worrying about health, money, family, work, or school.
Everyone feels anxious now and then — and there can be good reasons why. But in people with GAD, the worry is often unrealistic or out of proportion to the situation. Daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear, and dread. Eventually, anxiety can even dominate a person’s thinking so much that they find it hard to do routine things at work or school, socially, and in their relationships. But there are treatments to ease anxiety so it doesn’t have to keep running your life.
Our specialists at WCWCW in Bethesda, Maryland, offer the supportive care you need to overcome the challenges of GAD. We provide the same high-quality service via telehealth for patients living in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Michigan, and Florida. Call our office or request an appointment online today.
Nearly 4 million adult Americans, or about 2%, have GAD during the course of a year. It most often begins in childhood or adolescence but can begin in adulthood. It is more common in women than in men.
GAD affects the way a person thinks, and it can lead to physical symptoms. Psychiatrists use a standard set of criteria to diagnose GAD. Those symptoms can’t be caused by a medical problem or other condition and last at least 6 months. Those criteria include:
People with generalized anxiety disorder often also have other anxiety disorders such as panic disorder or phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, clinical depression, or problems with drug or alcohol misuse.
If you have symptoms of GAD, your doctor will begin an evaluation by asking questions about your medical and psychiatric history. The doctor bases their diagnosis of GAD on reports of how intense and long-lasting the symptoms are, including any problems with daily life caused by the symptoms. The doctor then determines whether the person has a specific anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. For someone to be diagnosed with GAD, symptoms must interfere with daily living and be present for more days than not for at least 6 months.
If no other medical condition is found, you may be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist. These are mental health professionals who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions including GAD. Treatment for GAD most often includes a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). And lifestyle changes can really make a difference.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
People being treated for anxiety disorders often take part in this type of therapy, in which you learn to recognize and change thought patterns and behaviors that lead to anxious feelings. This type of therapy helps limit distorted thinking by looking at worries more realistically. You may want to look into joining a support group.
Medications
These aren’t a cure, but they can help ease symptoms. Your doctor may recommend medications to ease your symptoms. Some medicines work quickly and others may take a few weeks to start working.
Lifestyle habits
These lifestyle habits also help:
Our specialists at WCWCW in Bethesda, Maryland, offer the supportive care you need to overcome the challenges of GAD. We provide the same high-quality service via telehealth for patients living in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Michigan, and Florida. Call our office or request an appointment online today.
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