Anxiety+Disorders

by Asja and Bobby


 * Anxiety Disorders**, or General Anxiety Disorder, is an exaggeration of normal reactions to fearful or stressful events. They are mental disorders that is characterized by excessive worry and anxiety which is hard to control. There are many life problems that can become related to Anxiety Disorders. People with significant anxiety problems often have it affect many part of their lives (About).

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common anxiety disorder that involves chronic worrying, nervousness, and tension. Unlike a phobia, where your fear is connected to a specific thing or situation, the anxiety of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is diffused—a general feeling of dread or unease that colors your whole life. This anxiety is less intense than a panic attack, but much longer lasting, making normal life difficult and relaxation impossible. If you have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) you may worry about the same things that other people do: health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work. But you take these worries to a new level. A co-worker’s careless comment about the economy becomes a vision of an imminent pink slip; a phone call to a friend that isn’t immediately returned becomes anxiety that the relationship is in trouble. Sometimes just the thought of getting through the day produces anxiety. You go about your activities filled with exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke them. Whether you realize that your anxiety is more intense than the situation calls for or believe that your worrying protects you in some way, the end result is the same. You can’t turn off your anxious thoughts. They keep running through your head, on endless repeat (Help).

What Causes GAD?[[image:mccarthyhealth2q2pd2/fear-stress.jpg align="right" caption="fear-stress.jpg"]]
The exact cause of GAD is not fully known, but a number of factors -- including genetics, brain chemistry and environmental stresses -- appear to contribute to its development.
 * **Genetics**: Some research suggests that family history plays a part in increasing the likelihood that a person will develop GAD. This means that the tendency to develop GAD may be passed on in families.
 * **Brain chemistry**: GAD has been associated with abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are special chemical messengers that help move information from nerve cell to nerve cell. If the neurotransmitters are out of balance, messages cannot get through the brain properly. This can alter the way the brain reacts in certain situations, leading to anxiety.
 * **Environmental factors**: Trauma and stressful events, such as abuse, the death of a loved one, divorce, changing jobs or schools, may lead to GAD. GAD also may become worse during periods of [|stress]. The use of and withdrawal from addictive substances, including alcohol, [|caffeine], and [| nicotine], can also worsen anxiety (Medicinenet).
 * **Emotional factors**: High amounts of neurotransmitters and adrenaline can cause physical sickness that my look like the common cold/ flu. It can be cause by work related stressed or relationship problems (Coping).

Signs & Symptoms

 * People with generalized anxiety disorder can't seem to shake their concerns. Their worries are accompanied by physical symptoms, especially fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, and hot flashes (NIMH).

Treatment

 * Effective treatments for anxiety disorders are available, and research is yielding new, improved therapies that can help most people with anxiety disorders lead productive, fulfilling lives (NIMH).
 * **Medication**: Drugs are available to treat GAD and may be especially helpful for people whose anxiety is interfering with daily functioning. The medications most often used to treat GAD in the short-term are from a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. These medications are sometimes referred to as "tranquilizers," because they leave you feeling calm and relaxed. They work by decreasing the physical symptoms of GAD, such as muscle tension and restlessness. Common benzodiazepines include Xanax, [|Librium], Valium and Ativan. [|Antidepressants], such as Paxil, Effexor, Prozac, [|Lexapro], and Zoloft, are also being used to treat GAD. These antidepressants may take a few weeks to start working but they're more appropriate for long-term treatment of GAD (WebMD).
 * **Cognitive-behavioral therapy**: People suffering from anxiety disorders often participate 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 (WebMD).

In addition, relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and biofeedback, may help to control the muscle tension that often accompanies GAD.

Can GAD Be Prevented?
Anxiety disorders like GAD cannot be prevented. However, there are some things that you can do to control or lessen symptoms, including:
 * Stop or reduce your consumption of products that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate (WebMD).
 * Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medicines or herbal remedies. Many contain chemicals that can increase [|anxiety symptoms].
 * [|Exercise] daily and eat a healthy, [|balanced die.]
 * Seek counseling and support after a traumatic or disturbing experience.
 * Practice [|stress management] techniques like yoga or [|meditation] (WebMD).

**Sourses**

 * [] .........................................................(About)
 * [] ...........................................(Help)
 * [] ..................................................................(Medicinenet)
 * Lee, Jordan. "Coping with Anxiety and Panic Attacks." .......................................................(Coping)
 * [] .........(NIMH)
 * [] ..........................(WebMD)