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Anxiety Disorders
or a Bad Case of Nerves? Most
people experience feelings of anxiety before an important event like a
major test, a job interview, or a first date.
Anxiety serves several useful purposes such as warning us of
danger, helping us be more alert and motivates us to take action.
In fact, a little anxiety can help us perform better. But
if you have an anxiety disorder, the normally helpful emotion can keep
you from coping and can interfere with healthy, everyday functioning.
Although there are several types of anxiety disorders, the most common
and perhaps least recognized is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Have you ever known anyone who worried about everything -
money, health, family, work, even when there is no apparent reason to be
concerned. This worry goes
beyond the usual concerns of daily life.
The time spent worrying is often greater than the time spent
problem solving. Can you imagine the tension this person must feel? People
with GAD can't seem to shake their concerns, even when they realize
their anxiety is more intense than is warranted by the situation. People with GAD also seem unable to relax and frequently have
trouble sleeping. They
always seem to expect the worse. Often
the fears and worries are accompanied by physical symptoms of fatigue,
trembling, muscle tension, headaches, GI disorders, and heart
palpitations. Depression often accompanies anxiety disorders. GAD
comes on gradually, usually in childhood or adolescence, but can begin
in adulthood. It is
diagnosed when someone spends at least 6 months worrying excessively
about several everyday routine life events and activities.
Usually the impairment associated with GAD is mild and people are
able to function socially and at work.
However, if severe, the disorder can be very debilitating, making
it difficult to function in every day life. It
you think you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, it is important
to have a complete medical evaluation to rule out any medical causes for
the physical symptoms. Effective
treatment for anxiety disorders frequently involves a combination of
medication and counseling. Lifestyle changes and dietary changes may be
helpful, as well as nutritional supplements. Anxiety Disorders is not just a case of "not handling stress well" or needing "to get a grip." Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorder in America. |
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