An anxiety disorder characterized by excessive and difficult-to-control worry about a number of life situations. The worry is accompanied by restlessness, fatigue, inability to concentrate, irritability, muscle tension, and/or sleep disturbance and lasts for at least 6 months.
Symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder
The following features are indicative of Generalised Anxiety Disorder:
persistent worrying or anxiety
overthinking plans and solutions
perceiving situations and events as threatening
difficulty handling uncertainty
indecisiveness and fear of making the wrong decision
inability to set aside
inability to relax
difficulty concentrating
It is possible that Generalised Anxiety Disorder shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Generalised Anxiety Disorder
The following are the most common causes of Generalised Anxiety Disorder:
differences in brain chemistry and function
genetic changes in 5-HTT, NPSR1, COMT, MAOA, CRHR1, RGS2
differences in the way threats are perceived
Risk Factors for Generalised Anxiety Disorder
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Generalised Anxiety Disorder:
hereditary
Prevention of Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Generalised Anxiety Disorder. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
get help early
prioritize issues in the life
avoid unhealthy substance use
Occurrence of Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Generalised Anxiety Disorder cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Generalised Anxiety Disorder most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged between 20-35 years
Common Gender
Generalised Anxiety Disorder can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Generalised Anxiety Disorder
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Generalised Anxiety Disorder:
GAD-7 screening tool: To diagnose the disease
Doctor for Diagnosis of Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder:
Psychiatrist
Complications of Generalised Anxiety Disorder if untreated
Yes, Generalised Anxiety Disorder causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Generalised Anxiety Disorder is left untreated:
neuropsychiatric disorders
depression
dementia
Procedures for Treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder
The following procedures are used to treat Generalised Anxiety Disorder:
Cognitive behavioral therapy: To improve symptoms
Self-care for Generalised Anxiety Disorder
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Generalised Anxiety Disorder:
Stay physically active: Exercise reduces the stress and helps to stay healthy
Alcohol intake: Alcohol intake worsens the anxiety
Quit smoking and coffee: Both nicotine and caffeine worsens the condition of anxiety
Relaxation techniques : Meditation and yoga are examples of the relaxation techniques that ease the anxiety
Sleeping time : Enough sleep can help to reduce the anxiety
Healthy food: Vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fish can help to reduce the anxiety
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Generalised Anxiety Disorder:
Herbal Treatment: Passionflower is a herb that helps to reduce anxiety when given in combination with other herbs
Time for Treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Generalised Anxiety Disorder to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
In 3 - 6 months
Last updated date
This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Generalised Anxiety Disorder.