General Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety can be defined as an unpleasant emotional state and is a normal reaction by your body to a stressful situation. It can help us to stay focused and alert and propel us to action. However when it becomes overwhelming or is constantly present and interferes with your day to day activities, it can then become a problem. If you feel that you may be suffering from a general anxiety disorder there are many options available to you to get help and get your life back on track.

There are five main types of anxiety disorders, namely general anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (also known as panic attacks), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD). As you can see there are many types of anxiety disorder and they can manifest in different ways for different people. The one thing that they have in common however is that each can be described as a persistent or severe fear of a situation that most people would not find threatening.

The symptoms associated with anxiety disorders can be both emotional and physical. Things such as sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue or headaches are common physical responses. Emotional responses include irritability, restlessness, feeling apprehensive or having trouble concentrating. Of course the symptoms for each person are often different and this list is by no means exhaustive.

If you are wondering what causes an anxiety disorder, there is no definitive answer. It has been suggested that a chemical imbalance within the brain may be responsible, however this has not been proven conclusively. Another possible cause is that it is a learned behaviour, while another is that they are caused by unresolved issues from a person’s past. Whatever the cause, most sufferers are more concerned with overcoming the condition and learning strategies to help them cope with the symptoms they experience.

There is no laboratory test that can diagnose an anxiety disorder. Your doctor will begin by examining you for known physical conditions that can cause anxiety as well as questioning your regarding any medications you may be taking that could cause you to feel anxious as a side effect. Your diet and lifestyle will probably also be looked at. If no physical cause is discovered the next step would be a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Treating anxiety can take time. For mild cases, psychotherapy may be enough while more sever cases may require medication as well. It has been observed that most people respond better to a combined treatment of both psychotherapy and drugs, however this varies on a case by case basis and will be determined over a period of time. A popular anxiety therapy is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) which helps a person recognise the role their thoughts play in their anxiety and helps them to challenge their unrealistic thinking to overcome their fears.

Other anxiety disorder treatments include self-help strategies such as meditation, biofeedback, visualizations as well as getting enough exercise and dietary adjustments. Many people will choose not to seek professional help especially at the beginning of their symptoms. It should be remembered that there is no shame in seeking help when you need it. If you are suffering from your symptoms, seek help as soon as possible.

This site GeneralAnxietyDisorder.org will discuss the symptoms of general anxiety disorders and panic attacks as well as the treatment options available so you can get the help you need. You can learn how to stop a panic attack and you can learn how to cope with your fears.