Coming to Terms with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)

By Gordon Dalwood

There seems to be a number of prevalent myths surrounding the condition of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Many of these myths center on the notion that GAD is not a serious condition and that most people who suffer from it are weak minded. While such stereotypical notions are common, they are not even remotely accurate in terms of their ability to properly diagnose such a condition. GAD is far from a minor psychological hang up. It is a serious debilitating condition that affects millions of people.

Essentially, GAD is a form of anxiety which manifests itself primarily as worry and nervousness, and in most cases it is known to be chronic. Sufferers experience frequent bouts of nervousness, fear and even paranoia with regards to various aspects of their lives, whether it's about personal matters, their career, their family or of course, their financial position. However, it's only when a person experiences these symptoms for at least six months that they are then considered to be suffering from GAD.

When one suffers from GAD, there will be a tendency to suffer from a variety of symptoms. These symptoms can include drowsiness, lack of energy, irritability, forgetfulness, chronic insomnia, and other issues. In short, so much anxiety if weighing on the person's mind that the psychological problem starts to manifest in physical ways. This is where the person suffers to the point common life activities are impeded.

In some cases, the sufferer of GAD may experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms. This could include flashbacks of traumatic, anxiety inducing events. These intrusive flashbacks can greatly undermine the quality of the person's life and lead to living a life far less beneficial than one would experience without dealing with GAD. This is why seeking treating for GAD is so important.

The first step in treatment centers on receiving a proper analysis. Such an analysis is administered by a psychiatrist through a series of standardized tests. Once the psychiatrist arrives at the proper diagnosis, he/she will take the next treatment steps. This will usually involve being prescribed anti-anxiety medications intended to curtail the problem.

Some patients will recover just fine simply by using the anti-anxiety prescriptions. There will be those, however, that prefer to meet with a therapist and discuss counseling options to reduce the onset of GAD. For many, the mix of prescription medication and therapy work quite well.

Changes in lifestyle should not be underestimated when it comes to the reduction in anxiety. There are sports, hobbies and change of diet which have shown good results when it comes to relieving GAD. These are a valuable tool for relieving symptoms for many people.

Those who think GAD is not a serious condition should be dismissed. The opinions of these people are not based on any professional knowledge and are not going to help. The condition is not going to go away by ignoring it and listening to well meaning advice is not advised. This is a myth and has no value as a cure. Seek help from those who know what they are doing. - 29881

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