Generalized Anxiety Disorder Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental disorder characterized by excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday life circumstances. This anxiety can be experienced in multiple ways, ranging from physical symptoms such as nausea and muscle tension to cognitive symptoms, including worrying excessively or feeling unable to control thoughts. GAD affects approximately 6.8 million adults in the United States each year, with women being twice as likely to be affected than men. The exact cause of GAD is unknown, but certain factors have been linked to the disorder, such as a family history of anxiety, stressful events or trauma in childhood, and biological changes in the brain related to stress hormones. People with GAD often experience physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, irritability and difficulty sleeping due to their heightened state of worry and fear. They may also experience cognitive symptoms such as rumination (constantly rehashing worrisome thoughts), difficulty concentrating or an inability to make decisions. Treatment for GAD typically consists of psychotherapy combined with medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of psychotherapy used for treating GAD that helps patients identify patterns in their thinking that lead to anxious feelings and teaches them how to challenge these thoughts more effectively. Medications are usually prescribed when the patient’s distress is severe enough that it interferes with daily functioning or when psychotherapy alone doesn’t seem sufficient enough for symptom relief. Living with generalized anxiety disorder can be difficult but there are steps you can take towards managing your condition: practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing; exercise regularly; set realistic goals; avoid caffeine; engage in activities that help you cope better such as yoga or meditation; talk openly about your worries with friends/family/professional support networks; get adequate restful sleep each night; volunteer/connect socially with others who don’t trigger anxious reactions from you; keep a journal about your anxieties so you can track them better over timeand know when they’re getting worseand lastly seek professional help if needed.