Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.
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What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
GAD is a condition that causes you to worry or feel nervous about daily activities. You are not able to control your anxiety and feel calm. You may have anxiety about your health, job, money, or relationships. Anxiety can also happen without a cause.
A medical condition, such as diabetes or depression
Use of tobacco products, caffeine, alcohol, or stimulating drugs, such as cocaine
Age 20 to 30
What other signs and symptoms may occur with GAD?
Fatigue (being mentally and physically tired) or muscle tightness
Shaking, restlessness, or irritability
Problems focusing
Trouble sleeping
Feeling jumpy, easily startled, or dizzy
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating
Rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath
How is GAD diagnosed?
Tell your healthcare provider when your symptoms began and what triggers them. Tell your provider if anxiety affects your daily activities. Your provider will also ask about your medical history and if you have family members with a similar condition. Tell your provider about your past and present alcohol, nicotine, or drug use.
How is GAD treated?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you understand what triggers your symptoms. You may learn how to change how you react to events.
Medicines may be given to help you feel calm and relaxed, and to decrease your symptoms. Medicines are usually given together with therapy or other treatments.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Talk to someone about your anxiety. Choose someone you know will be supportive and encouraging.
Keep a journal of your symptoms. Write down what you were doing before your symptoms started. Also write down what made the anxiety better or worse. Bring this journal with you to your follow-up appointments.
Do activities you enjoy. Spend time with friends, or do something fun. Choose activities you are familiar with or comfortable doing. This may help prevent anxiety. Try to be active throughout the day. Physical activity can help relieve or prevent anxiety.
Practice deep breathing. Deep breathing can help you relax when you feel anxious. Focus on taking slow, deep breaths several times a day, or during an anxiety attack. Slowly breathe in through your nose. Pause, then slowly breathe out through your mouth. Try to breathe out longer than you breathed in. Deep breathing combined with activities such as yoga, meditation, or listening to music can help you relax.
Create a regular sleep routine. Regular sleep can help you feel calmer during the day. Go to sleep and wake up at the same times each day. Do not watch television or use the computer right before bed. Your room should be comfortable, dark, and quiet.
Eat a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, whole-grain breads, and cooked beans. Healthy foods can help you feel less anxious and have more energy. Do not have caffeine. Caffeine can make your symptoms worse. Do not have foods or drinks that are meant to increase your energy level.
Do not use tobacco products, drink alcohol, or use drugs. These can all increase anxiety or make it hard to manage. Ask your provider for information if you currently use any of these and need help to quit. E-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use these products.
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) for any of the following:
You have chest pain, tightness, or heaviness that may spread to your shoulders, arms, jaw, neck, or back.
You feel like hurting yourself or someone else.
When should I call my doctor?
Your symptoms do not get better with treatment.
You have new or worsening symptoms since your last visit.
You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
The main feature of GAD is excessive anxiety and worry, occurring more days than not for at least six months. Worries are often about a variety of minor issues and events that are unlikely to occur. Generally, the worries are future oriented -– about what might happen rather than what is happening.
You can use the 333 rule for anxiety in the moment something triggers you. Just look around to identify 3 objects and 3 sounds, then move 3 body parts. Many people find this strategy helps focus and ground them when anxiety seems overwhelming. The 333 rule is a common and informal technique for coping with anxiety.
As well as regular exercise, learning how to relax is important. You may find relaxation and breathing exercises helpful, or you may prefer activities such as yoga or pilates to help you unwind. You can also try listening to this 6-minute anxiety control training audio guide.
Are you always waiting for disaster to strike or excessively worried about things such as health, money, family, work, or school? If so, you may have a type of anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD can make daily life feel like a constant state of worry, fear, and dread.
The Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) is a seven-item instrument that is used to measure or assess the severity of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
The Three C's for Anxiety. When it comes to coping with anxiety, the three C's - Calm Techniques, Coping Strategies, and Communication Skills - can be powerful tools in managing and reducing anxiety symptoms.
One helpful way to practice Self-Awareness Self-Care is to nurture a regular habit of checking in with yourself around The Four R's of Resilience: Rest, Relaxation, Replenishment, and Release. These categories speak to four foundational pillars of personal wellness relating to sleep, stress relief, diet, and exercise.
Generalized anxiety disorder and other forms of severe anxiety are often long-term, can be diagnosed by a doctor, and can limit someone from engaging in substantial gainful activity. As long as your condition meets those requirements, it will be considered a disability according to Social Security law.
cut back on sugar and processed foods. cut back on caffeine, alcohol, and smoking cigarettes. eat foods rich in zinc, like whole grains, oysters, kale, broccoli, legumes, and nuts.
For example, you may feel intense worry about your safety or that of your loved ones, or you may have a general sense that something bad is about to happen. Your anxiety, worry or physical symptoms cause you significant distress in social, work or other areas of your life.
GAD may occur following a stressful life event or a period of high stress. It is more likely to develop if a person is predisposed to high anxiety due to a combination of genetic factors and environmental influences.
For the majority of people with undiagnosed or untreated anxiety disorder, there are many negative consequences, for both the individual and society. These include disability, reduced ability to work leading to loss of productivity, and a high risk of suicide.
Similar is the 5 5 5 rule where you breathe in deeply for 5 seconds, hold the breath for 5 seconds, and breathe out for 5 seconds. Then, identify five things you can see, five sounds you hear, and five objects around you that you can touch.
It involves identifying 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. By doing so, it helps shift your focus from anxiety-provoking thoughts to the present moment.
Natural strategies like regular physical activity, aromatherapy, deep breathing, mindfulness, and chamomile tea may help you reduce anxiety symptoms. If you feel your anxiety is getting worse, consider professional help. Talk therapy, prescription medication, or both, may help with severe or persistent anxiety.
The 3 P's stand for Pervasiveness, Permanence and Personalisation. Pervasiveness looks at how much of your life a concern impacts – How big? Permanence looks at how long an issue is going to be of concern – How long? Personalisation looks at how much you feel you are to blame – How much?
Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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