| Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) consists of | | | | or tragedy in their life, their perceptions may have been |
| irrational worry about literally everything. Symptoms | | | | greatly altered and now everything is marked by that |
| must be present for at least 6 months before a | | | | horrible experience. This is a common occurrence |
| diagnosis can be made. GAD tends to interfere with | | | | because most people are dramatically changed by |
| every area of a persons life, from their social life to | | | | extremely unfortunate events and have trouble |
| their professional life. | | | | returning back to their old ways of thinking. A brain |
| Approximately 6.8 million Americans suffer from GAD. | | | | chemical imbalance can be caused by several things |
| Unfortunately, GAD runs in families. For some people, | | | | including genetics, drugs, other mental disorders, and |
| the disorder is impossible to avoid. | | | | certain medications. |
| The irrational worry about small everyday things can | | | | Whatever the cause for your GAD, it is important to |
| get way out of hand. | | | | know that it can be dealt with. The first step is |
| If you have got GAD, you probably know that you are | | | | knowing that you have the disorder. If you have not |
| being irrational, but feel that there is nothing you can do | | | | yet been to the doctor for an examination of |
| to control it. One reason why it is so hard is because | | | | symptoms and received a diagnosis, ask yourself if |
| you have become accustomed to your new way of | | | | your symptoms have been present for at least 6 |
| dreadful thinking. Everything seems much worse than | | | | months. If so, try to do things that help you to relax. |
| what it needs to be. | | | | What is in life that makes you happy? Set aside about |
| Symptoms of GAD are similar to those of a panic | | | | one hour per day where you are completely alone and |
| attack, although the only difference is that panic | | | | in peace. Play your favorite music, clean, write in your |
| attacks are usually not a problem. Symptoms vary | | | | journal, etc. |
| from individual to individual and can include: | | | | Your main focus needs to be on releasing tension. In |
| - Persistent sweating | | | | order to deal with the physical symptoms, you must be |
| - Trembling | | | | able to handle stress much more effectively. You can |
| - Being jumpy | | | | get a handle on your symptoms by exercising |
| - Headaches | | | | everyday for at least 20-45 minutes. After a short |
| - Muscle tension | | | | time, your body will begin to feel better and less tense. |
| - Insomnia | | | | Exercising also causes the brain to produce certain |
| - Difficulty concentrating | | | | hormones that create feelings of euphoria, which in the |
| - Irritability | | | | end, makes everything okay. |
| - Fatigue | | | | These are just a few of the ways you can treat your |
| - Excessive tension coupled with ongoing worry | | | | GAD. If you feel things are completely out of control, it |
| - Irrational views | | | | may be best to seek professional treatment, which |
| - Constant fear that the worst will occur | | | | may include cognitive behavioral therapy and/or |
| Other causes of GAD are often linked to | | | | prescription medication. Although, most people can |
| environmental factors and brain chemical imbalances. | | | | usually handle the symptoms themselves if they apply |
| For example, if someone has experienced a great loss | | | | the necessary effort. |