| Many people suffer from anxiety and panic disorders | | | | Norepinephrine. During a GAD attack these 3 |
| of varying degrees. Some of these problems are | | | | chemicals react with one another. |
| relatively minor, but they can also be quite severe. One | | | | People suffering from generalized anxiety are |
| of the most serious forms of anxiety is Generalized | | | | particularly succeptible to stresses in their environment, |
| Anxiety Disorder, or GAD. | | | | from thing such as work, school, social situations and |
| Anxiety itself is a normal reaction to dangerous or | | | | more. GAD can also lead to sleep disorders and other |
| unexpected situations and events. GAD takes that | | | | seemingly unrelated problems. |
| reaction to the extreme, however. It is both excessive | | | | Symptoms of GAD include the following: |
| and chronic, interfering with a person's day-to-day life. | | | | - Persistent worries |
| Part of the reason generalized anxiety - also known | | | | - Difficulty concentrating |
| as "free floating" anxiety - is so serious is that it does | | | | - Lightheadedness |
| not need a particular situation to trigger it. It can attack | | | | - Severe mood swings |
| anytime, without warning. GAD is thought to affect as | | | | - Depression |
| many as 5 million adults in the U.S. alone. It affects both | | | | - Persistent lack of energy |
| men and women, however it is more common among | | | | If a person exhibits any of the above symptoms on an |
| women. | | | | ongoing basis, they should see a doctor as quickly as |
| GAD is related to an irregular level of | | | | possible for a thorough diagnosis. Early treatment is |
| neurotransmitters in a person's brain. These are | | | | very important for anxiety disorders, as they can |
| chemicals that are basically "messengers" that carry | | | | progress into more serious problems if left untreated. |
| signals to the nerve endings in the brain. The 3 | | | | The earlier the treatment can begin, the more likely it is |
| neurotransmitters associated with anxiety are | | | | the problem will be able to be solved. |
| Serotonin, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and | | | | |