Definition/Description
The most common mental disorder is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Anxiety disorders affect up to 20% of the adult population each year. The symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder include fear, worry, and a feeling of overwhelming. Generalized anxiety disorder can be characterized by excessive and unreasonable worry about daily things.
- The worry can be multifaceted, such as financial, family, future, and health.
- It is difficult to control and often accompanied by many non-specific physical and psychological symptoms
The GAD is classified as primary or secondary, depending on when it occurs.
- GAD is primary if it occurs in childhood and there are no other diagnoses.
- GAD is secondary if it develops in later life and other disorders are present.
Epidemiology
In the general population, the prevalence of GAD over a lifetime is 5.1%. The 12-month prevalence is 3.1%.
- The WHO study on Psychological Disorders in the Primary Health Care setting reported that GAD was the second most common category of psychological disorders with a prevalence of just below 7.9%.
- In a survey of people who use medical care frequently, the prevalence of GAD was 22%. The prevalence of GAD among patients in doctors’ offices is twice as high as that of the general population.
- The prevalence of GAD is higher in women than men. The median age at which GAD first appears in early adulthood.
Symptoms
Diagnosis of GAD is often difficult. A panic attack is often considered a sign of anxiety disorder. However, GAD differs in that it does not usually cause panic attacks. This misconception can lead to a person believing that they are worrying excessively if they have never experienced a panic attack. They may have their constant worries minimized or dismissed and not be properly diagnosed or treated.
The DSM-5 provides specific criteria that professionals can use to diagnose generalized anxiety disorder. When assessing clients, having a set of common symptoms helps professionals diagnose mental health concerns more accurately and create an effective treatment plan.
The following are the criteria for diagnosing GAD.
- Excessive anxiety or worry over various topics, events, or activities. The worry has been excessive for at least six months.
- Controlling the worry can be a very difficult task. Both adults and children can easily switch from one subject to another when worried.
- At least three physical or cognitive symptoms are present. (In children, one symptom is sufficient for the diagnosis of GAD).
- Restlessness or a feeling of agitation
- Tired easily; fatigued more than usual
- Feeling as if the mind is blank or unable to concentrate
- Irritability is a condition that can be observed by others or not.
- Muscle aches and pains
Causes
GAD has no single cause. Multiple factors can influence the development of GAD. These include genetic predispositions, brain chemistry, and family history. Below are some examples:
- You can also learn more about the following: The language of linguistics is A system is a group of brain structures involved, amongst other things, in regulating and controlling many basic emotional reactions. The limbic system is a collection of brain structures that, among other functions, regulate many basic emotional reactions. Amygdala The limbic system is a part of the brain that plays a role in the automatic fear reaction and the integration of Memory and Emotion. Unsurprisingly, people with GAD have elevated amygdala activation when processing negative emotions. [6] Researchers believe that this increased activity in the amygdala could influence patients with GAD to interpret social behavior incorrectly.
- Life Experiences: While genetic and biological factors contribute clearly to the development and progression of GAD, the greater risk lies with complex psychological, social, and environmental factors.
- Researchers have discovered that childhood trauma can increase the risk of GAD. Difficult life experiences, such as abuse (physical and mental), neglect, the death of a family member, abandonment, divorce, or isolation, can all contribute to GAD.
- Children can learn how to deal with stressful and challenging situations from their caregivers. Children tend to mimic less effective ways of managing stressful situations. Early social learning experiences may influence anxiety development.
- The use of everyday addictive drugs like caffeine may increase feelings of worry and nervousness. This can lead to anxiety. We are constantly being ask to do more in our culture. This can lead to anxiety, as we feel pressured to perform.
- According to research, women are more likely to experience anxiety if they feel threatened or humiliated by their partner or ex-partner. Dangerous and frightening experiences can influence the development of anxiety in intimate relationships.
- About 30% of people on social media spend 15 hours or longer per week plugged in. Researchers have found that excessive use of social media can negatively impact mental health. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and even a loss of self-esteem. Social media interaction can present the same problems as interacting with people. These include feelings of rejection, abandonment, or humiliation. [6].
Treatment
The best treatment for generalized anxiety disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which includes:
- Education: Learn why you feel anxious and why it affects you.
- Change your thinking by identifying and changing unhelpful beliefs and thinking patterns.
- Change your behavior by scheduling appropriate times to worry rather than worrying constantly.
A Cochrane review
- Strong evidence supports the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating generalized anxiety disorder. After treatment, 46 percent of patients who received cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) showed a clinical response compared to only 14 percent in the waiting list/treatment-as-usual groups. Anxiety, worry, and depression symptoms also decreased significantly. Psychological therapy is not effective in treating GAD over the long term.
While the attrition rate for psychological therapy using CBT is relatively low, at 15%, those who attend group therapy are likelier than others to abandon treatment. However, those who attend individual therapy are more likely to continue treatment. The attrition rate in elderly patients was also higher. The reasons for dropouts were not report in the studies and could have more than just low acceptance or effectiveness of psychotherapy [4].
Medication
- See also The impact of antidepressant medications on physiological processes.
- The medications for anxiety interact with brain chemicals ( Neurotransmitters). Certain medications can block or enhance one or more chemicals.
Many different medications can used to treat anxiety, including:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
- SNRIs are inhibitors of serotonin, norepinephrine, and their reuptake.
- Anxiolytics
- Tri-cyclic Antidepressant
Physical Therapy Management
Physical therapists must familiar with anxiety symptoms, as more and more patients have diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.
See also Mental health, physical activity, and physiotherapy.
- Physical therapy is not a specific intervention for GAD.
- The physical therapist is responsible for referring patients to their primary doctor when appropriate so that they can receive the correct medical treatment for their disorder.
Anxiety may cause various clinical symptoms, including muscle tension and muscle pain. It is crucial to determine the cause of muscle tension. In this case, a detailed history is necessary to gather the information and determine if the situation is within the scope.
Techniques may include:
- Patient Education: The patient must understand the causes of their anxiety. It can be beneficial to explain that the patient should keep a journal of their anxiety and rate it from 0-10.
- Exercise has shown to reduce anxiety. Exercise has many benefits. Reduced anxiety and improved mood are two benefits. Although the relationship between Exercise and anxiety is poorly understood, working out has shown to increase relaxation and keep anxiety symptoms at bay once a patient feels better. [9] Exercise can reduce anxiety by releasing brain chemicals that make you feel good (including neurotransmitters, endorphins, and other brain chemicals). Exercise can increase body temperature, which in turn produces calming effects. Exercise has many psychological and emotional benefits, including increased confidence, reduced worries, socialization within a gym, and healthy coping. Any exercise that gets the patient moving will be beneficial. Yoga and workplace physical activity is link to reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms. [10].
- Deep Breathing Exercises
- Meditation. Researchers have found that meditation increases activity in the left prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for feelings of serenity or joy.
- Other stress management methods could include Yoga, Music Therapy, Education incorporating well-balanced food, and ensuring you get adequate sleep every night (helps manage stress and anxiety)
