subject: Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Understanding What Is Gad [print this page] Have you ever worried uncontrollably or irrationally about things for quite a few days even if it isn't really appropriate towards your actual concern? Do these influence the working in your day to day lives? D you worry about things like death, money matters, the rest of the family, your health and so on every single day of your life? Do you feel tired, or you fidget, get a feeling of nausea, feel numb at times? If you do check out on any one of these questions then you might just have general anxiety disorder.
This usually occurs in the period between childhood and late adulthood and usually it is women who are more likely to suffer from generalised anxiety disorder than men. GAD is also found extremely common among old people. Now there are various causes for this. It could be induced by substances. For example benzodiazepines if used for a very long time can cause this. All it does is worsen the anxiety which is already present within you. Also if you use alcohol on a long term basis, you might just land up with GAD.
Now the difference between generalized anxiety disorder and a phobia is that usually with a phobia your fear is based on a particular thing, but GAD is based on everything, literally! It is like you are feeling a sense of dread generally. Usually if you compare GAD with a panic attack you will find that the intensity of your anxiety will be less, but none the less you will be anxious about anything and everything!
Sometimes you might get GAD confused with general worrying. Here's how you tell it apart: GAD is usually intrusive, excessive, debilitating and also persistent. If you have generalized anxiety disorder you will find that you are worrying away all the time and you can't concentrate on anything else. You wont be able to relax or enjoy anything. You feel your muscles tensing up, you can't fall asleep easily, you get nausea and stomach problems and you also feel edgy all the time.
There are various treatments for generalized anxiety disorder. First of all you need to start with understanding your worries, if you understand it, you will be able to find a cure better. So take some time out and think about the things which you worry about. Then you need to try and practice relaxing yourself a little. Try out different techniques like listening to music, yoga, looking at beautiful pictures, going for a walk and so on. Opt for the one which you think suites you better. Use these techniques to try and calm down. Then you need to try and connect with other people. Try to have a strong support system. This can consist of your friends, relatives and so on. All these people will help you overcome generalized anxiety disorder. Finally if all these dont work then you need to take help from the professionals or from counsellors.
