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Generalise Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam or having a medical test or job interview.

At time we find it hard to control how we worry. These feeling of anxiety can be more constant and can often affect day to day function.

Anxiety is the main symptom of several conditions such as:

  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Phobias such as agoraphobia or claustrophobia
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

 

Let’s talk about Generalise anxiety disorder (GAD)

People with GAD typically present with excessive anxiety about ordinary, day-today situations. The anxiety is intrusive, causes distress or functional impairment, and often encompasses multiple domains (e.g., finances, work, health).

People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed.

Your mind might be constantly racing with thoughts and experience little break from this.

Symptoms of GAD

Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary. They may include:

  • Persistent worrying or anxiety about a number of areas that are out of proportion to the impact of the events
  • Overthinking plans and solutions to all possible worst-case outcomes
  • Perceiving situations and events as threatening, even when they aren’t
  • Difficulty handling uncertainty
  • Indecisiveness and fear of making the wrong decision
  • Inability to set aside or let go of a worry
  • Inability to relax, feeling restless, and feeling keyed up or on edge
  • Difficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind “goes blank”

Physical signs and symptoms may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Muscle tension or muscle aches
  • Trembling, feeling twitchy
  • Nervousness or being easily startled
  • Sweating
  • Nausea, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome
  • Irritability

Your anxiety, worry or physical symptoms cause you significant distress in social, work or other areas of your life. Worries can shift from one concern to another and may change with time and age.

When to see a doctor

Some anxiety is normal, but see your doctor if:

  • You feel like you’re worrying too much and it’s interfering with your relationships, work or other parts of your life.
  • You feel depressed or irritable, have trouble with drinking or drugs or you have other mental health concerns along with anxiety.
  • You have suicidal thoughts or behaviours- seek emergency treatment immediately by going to your local A&E

Your worries are unlikely to simply go away on their own, and they may actually get worse over time.

City therapy’s Approach to treating GAD:

  • Individual psychotherapy- The therapist will help you identify possible causes and triggers of your anxiety- including those created by relationships, past experiences, work. Individual therapy will help you develop effective coping strategies.
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and other behavioural approaches may help people challenge negative thoughts and thinking patterns related to others and themselves.
  • Medication- In some cases medication can also be used. You will need to speak to your GP or Psychiatrist to discuss this.


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