What is General Anxiety Disorder?

What is General Anxiety Disorder? - Its Causes and Treatment

General anxiety disorder, also known as GAD, is the most prevalent form of anxiety disorder suffered from today. It presents itself with symptoms of worry and panic, often for no reason, and almost always having a negative impact on the sufferer’s everyday life. While you may have a justifiable amount of worry in your life, someone with GAD will experience a level of worry and anxiety that simply can’t be explained. Understanding general anxiety disorder is, in both its physical and emotional forms, is imperative to treatment.

Feeling Dizzy and Experiencing Headaches
(Alternative: The Symptoms of General Anxiety Disorder)

The most common symptoms of general anxiety disorder include headaches and dizziness, heart palpitations, and fatigue. Some sufferers of general anxiety disorder report feeling sweaty, having muscle pains and twitches, and the symptoms of insomnia as well.

General anxiety disorder is usually only diagnosed in patients who have been suffering from symptoms for at least six months. Your doctor will study your individual symptoms, note the frequency with which they occur, and then make a diagnosis. Once he has decided to diagnose you with general anxiety disorder you can begin discussing treatment methods. In many cases, the treatment of GAD involves both cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. Relaxing exercises, such as yoga, are also incredibly effective exercises to include in the treatment of general anxiety disorder.

Over six million citizens suffer from general anxiety disorder in the United States alone. Many people fear seeking help, so the numbers are actually much higher. General anxiety disorder can often go undiagnosed and is sometimes even misdiagnosed - meaning the number of people affected may be closer to ten million or more. General anxiety disorder is as prevalent in children as it is in adults.

Scientists have yet to determine a direct cause for general anxiety disorder. Some believe it may be caused by genetics while others place the blame on an individual’s lifestyle. Regardless of the cause, there are several effective treatments designed specifically to control the symptoms of general anxiety disorder.

Those suffering from general anxiety disorder may have both physical and behavioral symptoms. These symptoms are usually very clear at the time an anxiety attack occurs, and include an inability to communicate as well as a sensation that one needs to withdraw from social situations.