generalized anxiety disorder
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
![Page 2: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder is an affliction of intense worry and anxiety.
• GAD is characterized by your worrying interfering with your everyday life
![Page 3: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Normal vs. GAD
• It is normal for everyone to worry but people with generalized anxiety disorder bring it to a new level.
• Ex: Your spouse is on a flight but was supposed to call you when they landed. It is now twenty minutes after they were supposed to land so you begin thinking that the plane has crashed.
![Page 4: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Causes
• An exact cause for generalized anxiety disorder has not yet been found but a variety of factors can contribute:
• Genetics • Abnormal levels of serotonin,
dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain
• Environmental factors
![Page 5: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
The major symptoms
• Excessive worry or tension
• Restlessness • Difficulty
concentrating • Nausea • Headaches
![Page 6: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Other symptoms
• Muscle tension • Tiredness • Need to use the bathroom
often• Trembling • Easily startled
![Page 7: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
How many people are afflicted
• Approximately 9 million Americans are or have been afflicted with Generalized anxiety disorder.
• Of those 9 million about half will have it their entire life with the other half having their symptoms dissipate after 12months.
![Page 8: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Diagnosis
• Self diagnosis is the most common way.• Professionals try to discern whether it is
Generalized anxiety disorder or whether a traumatic event or substance abuse is playing a large role in the patient’s anxiety
![Page 9: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Can medications help?
• While medications can help they are usually only used as a stepping stone in severe cases to help alleviate some symptoms before therapy start to help.
• Some drugs used include: – Buspirone– Benzodiazepines– Antidepressants (usually won’t help for at
least 6 weeks)
![Page 10: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Therapies
• Cognitive-behavioral therapies are the most effective and common way to combat Generalized anxiety disorder.
• It uses a 5 step program of self help and therapy:– Education- distinguish between good and bad worry– Monitoring- discover what, when, why you worry– Physical Control Strategies- deep breathing to relax– Cognitive Control Strategies- evaluate and alter your thinking
patterns– Behavioral Strategies- face your fears head on to eliminate
them
![Page 11: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
How can one help oneself?
• Simple lifestyle and thinking changes such as accepting uncertainty in life can drastically reduce symptoms.
• Eating healthier, not smoking, not drinking caffine, and exercising can all help
• Other things such as meditation and listening to relaxing music can also help
![Page 12: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Interference with your life
• Intense anxiety can cause difficulty in relationships by always worrying about what your partner may be doing (clinging)
• It can also impact your work performance by distracting you and causing you to get off task by worrying
![Page 13: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
How it feels
I was not expecting my life to be ruled by anxiety the way it has. I have always worried about things from time to time but ever since ninth grade when I was diagnosed it has been unbearable.
![Page 14: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
My doctor tells me to use breathing exercises and to eat healthier but I already do eat very healthy, I’m practically a vegetarian except for the occasional fish.
![Page 15: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
This anxiety has taken over my life in many ways. I have even lost friends and haven’t even been able to get a girlfriend because I constantly worry about everyone and what they REALLY meant when they said that.
![Page 16: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Recently I have really tried to combat my anxiety. I have accepted that it is part of me but I can change how I react to it. Now whenever I feel worry coming on I try to stay in my situation and remain calm.
![Page 17: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Although GAD isn’t uncommon I am the only person I know with it. I live in a small town so I can’t really relate or talk with anyone about it but my doctor and parents, I just wish I had a friend who could relate.
![Page 18: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Going to school can sometimes be really hard. It seems that concrete building is the source of all my worries; with grades, relationships, and so many negative influences sometimes I can hardly breathe.
![Page 19: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
• One of the worst parts of my diagnosis was the interrogation by both my doctor and parents because they thought drug abuse was causing my anxiety. I was drug tested 3 days for a month before my parents were satisfied I wasn’t on anything. The sad thing is that I’ve never even had a sip of alcohol let alone anything else.
![Page 20: Generalized anxiety disorder](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022052910/559abe111a28abcf4a8b47c6/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
• For all of the negativities and hardships that this illness brings me at least it’s curable. I am extremely grateful that I can manage and cure my disease even if it will take some hard work on my part.