Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment


Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by an excessive, uncontrollable and irrational anxiety about common everyday events. Sufferers have anxious feelings that are disproportionate to the source of those feelings. This can give rise to a significant impact on daily activity as those suffering from GAD consistently anticipate disaster concerning everyday issues such as health problems, relationships with family and friends, money, death and work related issues.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a chronic complaint whereby sufferers experience consistent anxiety that is not related to one specific situation. Those suffering from the disorder are unable to shake their anxiety and become obsessively worried. For instance a casual comment by an acquaintance about a slowing economy becomes an irrational anxiety about being laid off. A news item about a terrorist attack in another country will trigger consistent, irrational anxious feelings about an attack in the sufferer's home city.

Causes of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Recent research suggests that generalized anxiety disorder may run in families. It also appears that it may grow more severe during periods of high stress. The disorder commonly begins at a relative early age, however symptoms generally grow more slowly over time than is the case with other psychological disorders. The onset of GAD is often first encountered during early adulthood, typically in response to a significantly stressful life event. It is the most commonly reported anxiety disorder in older adults and once established can become chronic. GAD can be managed - but not necessarily entirely alleviated - by appropriate treatment.

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

As we have seen generalized anxiety disorder affects the way in which the sufferer thinks and often manifests through various physical symptoms. Some of these are:
  • body tension
  • restlessness, "edginess" and being easily startled
  • tiredness but often trouble sleeping
  • trembling or sometimes shaking
  • nausea or discomfort in the stomach
  • perspiring
  • lack of concentration
  • headaches

Treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Common treatments for GAD are most often a combination of medication, if the symptoms are deemed severe enough, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which can be delivered either professionally or through a self help course such as Panic Away.

The Linden Method, which is a treatment that adjusts the response of the amygdala, also comes highly recommended for the treatment of GAD.

If the generalized anxiety disorder is diagnosed as severe the sufferer may be placed on a course of the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. These drugs are commonly referred to as "tranquilizers" as they have a calming and relaxing effect when taken. Their beneficial effect comes about by decreasing muscle tension, calming restlessness and relieving anxious thoughts.

Those suffering from GAD and other anxiety disorders often participate in cognitive behavioural therapy, which helps sufferers to recognise and alter thought patterns and behaviours that give rise to anxiety. This form of therapy helps to change distorted thinking by the process of analyzing the anxiety more realistically.

You will find further articles on this web site that discuss other aspects of anxiety and panic attacks. This web site also provides you with reviews of a number of products and services that you may find helpful if you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks.

Causes And Symptoms Of Panic Attacks

 



Description of Panic Attacks Panic attacks are often a symptom of panic disorder. They bring about intense feelings of anxiety and cause changes in your body, in your feelings and in your thoughts. Panic attacks can occur suddenly and can quickly increase in intensity.

As the disorder becomes more ingrained the attacks may become associated with a specific set of circumstances, for example when you're out shopping. When this happens they are referred to as situational panic attacks as a certain situation triggers the intense anxiety. Panic attacks can occur unexpectedly during the early stages of panic disorder.

Causes of Panic Attacks When you are exposed to a real, perceived or imminent threat your body reacts by triggering what is called the fight or flight response. This response is programmed into our nervous system and evolved to protect our ancient ancestors. The response prepared their bodies for immediate protective action - either to stay and fight or to take flight and run. These days your fight or flight response is rarely triggered by the sudden appearance of a wild animal, such as our ancient ancestors would have experienced.



The good news is that no matter how bad you feel during the course of a panic attack, and you can feel pretty bad, you will not die. There has never been a recorded incident of death caused by a panic attack. In fact the physical stress involved during a panic attack is not much different to that experienced during a rigorous workout at the gym. This is not to say that you don't experience frightening physical symptoms during your panic attack. Some of these symptoms are listed below.
For example these days it is more likely that the response is triggered by events in your workplace or perhaps when you're driving. I'm sure you've had an every day experience where you feel the effects of increased adrenalin levels and a quickened heartbeat. Even a perceived or anticipated stressful event can cause a fight or flight reaction in your body. Professionals believe that the body's fight or flight response can contribute to the onset of a panic attack.

Symptoms of Panic Attacks If you suffer from panic attacks you may experience a number of symptoms that include:

  • heart palpitations
  • perspiring
  • trembling or sometimes shaking
  • discomfort or pain in your chest
  • a tingling feeling in your extremities (paresthesia)
  • shortness of breath
  • a sensation that you are choking or being smothered
  • nausea or discomfort in your stomach
  • feelings of dizziness or light headedness
  • chills or hot flushes
  • fear of dying
  • you may experience a feeling of being out of touch with reality
  • you may be overwhelmed by a fear of losing control or "losing your mind"
  • you may encounter obsessive or unwanted thoughts
If four or more of the above symptoms started abruptly and reached a climax quickly then professionals will say that you are experiencing a panic attack. Treatments for managing panic attacks discusses strategies for controlling the symptoms of panic attacks.

Panic Attack Treatments

 

Relaxation Techniques


If you are anxious it is likely that your body is tense because your muscles are tight. Learning to relax those tight muscles is a helpful anxiety treatment. Your mind may also be harboring unwanted thoughts. Try the following techniques. Most can be carried out wherever you happen to be.

Progressive muscle relaxation is better performed in a relaxed sitting or lying position rather than standing. First relax the muscles in your toes and feet and then progressively concentrate on relaxing the muscles in your legs, abdomen, chest, neck and head. If you still feel that your body is tense repeat this cycle as many times as you need.

An ancient Eastern guru once said that our minds are like a bagful of jumping monkeys. Thoughts come and go like a frantic thought freeway. It is only when we concentrate on our mind do we realise how hectic are our thought patterns.

Mind relaxation can be carried out in a comfortable sitting position and is more easily performed if your body is relaxed. Lightly close your eyes and relax your body. Try to slow down that thought freeway. As your thoughts arise just let them go and try not to allow them take control. If you find that your mind from time to time takes over with a connected train of thought, and it will happen, just recommence to let those thoughts go and concentrate on settling your mind.

Breathing Techniques

You may find that during the course of a panic attack stress will cause you to hyperventilate. This occurs when you take rapid shallow breaths by your chest rather than deep breaths from your diaphragm. Hyperventilation raises the level of oxygen and decreases the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. Should you experience hyperventilation try breathing from the diaphragm and lower your rate of breathing. Think deep and think slow.

Check whether you're breathing correctly by lightly placing a hand on your abdomen to see if you can feel your diaphragm rising and falling. If needs be holding your breath for a few seconds will allow oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood to stabilise.

Learn About the Causes of Panic Attacks

Knowledge of panic attacks and their causes is essential in achieving full recovery. Remember the old adage 'know your enemy'.

Reading the article Causes And Symptoms Of Panic Attacks available elsewhere on this web site is a good place to start learning. Understanding the 'fight or flight response' as discussed in that article will enable you to better understand what's occurring in your mind and body during a panic attack.

The self help courses offered on this web site all provide more in depth discussion about the causes of panic attacks

Healthy Life Style

The fight or flight response floods your body with adrenaline and other stress related chemicals. Exercise burns up these chemicals and promotes relaxation. A moderate exercise regime also promotes better sleep patterns. Try to have at least three or four exercise sessions of 30 minutes or more every week. You don't have to go to the gym. Try walking as it is a great exercise and getting out in the sun and fresh air is also beneficial to your feelings of wellbeing.
Lack of magnesium, vitamin B and calcium in your diet can worsen your anxiety symptoms.

Maintaining a healthy diet of the main food groups with emphasis on wholegrain cereals, leafy green vegetables and low fat dairy products will allow you to receive adequate levels of these three important dietary components. Because caffeine is a stimulant and alcohol is mildly depressive restricting your intake of coffee and alcohol will assist in relieving the symptoms of panic attacks.

Self Awareness Through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy? What do these words mean? The answer to that question is really quite simple. They refer to a process which focuses on thinking patterns and behaviours that are sustaining or triggering the onset of panic attacks. In other words becoming more self aware
According to the American Psychiatric Association "The key to treatment is accepting panic attacks as psychological rather than physical ... (and that) practicing relaxation exercises, and working through the underlying issues ..." are beneficial in achieving long term relief.

Therefore cognitive behavioural therapy, or self awareness, is widely believed by psychologists and other mental health professionals to be the most effective form of treatment for panic and anxiety attacks. Cognitive behavioural therapy is based on the theory that beliefs trigger thoughts which in turn give rise to feelings that then influence behaviours.

For panic attack sufferers cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on the thinking patterns and behaviours that are sustaining or triggering the onset of panic attacks. It helps you, as a sufferer, to look at your fears in a more realistic and grounded manner. Undergoing a course of cognitive behavioural therapy is the most important and beneficial way of achieving your freedom from panic attacks.

Some of the products and services offered on this site are based on self-help cognitive behavioural therapy.

You will find further articles on this web site that discuss other aspects of anxiety and panic attacks. This web site also provides you with reviews of a number of products and services that you may find helpful if you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks.



References:
Panic Away - End Anxiety & Panic Attacks. Well-being And Self Help
https://plus.google.com/109078989589063801288/posts/35Vv8sW6Buv

Driving Fear Program
https://plus.google.com/109078989589063801288/posts/DoUNFuxup1v

Panic Miracle (tm): Top Panic Attacks & Anxiety
https://plus.google.com/109078989589063801288/posts/FyfxxgTU5w3

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the World's No.1 Treatment for Anxiety & Panic
https://plus.google.com/109078989589063801288/posts/2DfrcrwXDX2

The Paruresis Treatment System - Resources and Help for Shy Bladder
https://plus.google.com/109078989589063801288/posts/N9dkFZeyuwH

The Panic Hack
https://plus.google.com/109078989589063801288/posts/gCo627UVgZG

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