Do you suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
This disorder results in exaggerated worry and tension, even though nothing seems to provoke it.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) stretches to the point where something as simple as thinking of getting through the day provokes anxiety.
Although GAD is generally seen as a genetic disorder, it can affect anyone. This motivated the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) to compose an information piece about anxiety and its accompanying symptoms.
GAD is much worse than the normal anxiety people experience on a day-to-day basis. It results in exaggerated worry and tension, even though nothing seems to provoke it. Its sufferers always anticipate disaster, and worry more than usual about health, money, family, work and school.
Individuals with GAD usually can’t shake off their concerns, even though they realise their anxiety is more intense than the situation requires. They are often unable to relax, and therefore have trouble getting to sleep, or staying asleep. The physical symptoms include trembling, twitching, muscle tension, headaches, irritability, sweating and/ or hot flushes.
Another symptom of GAD is feeling light-headed or out of breath. Sufferers may feel nauseous, need to go to the bathroom frequently, or feel as though they have a lump in the throat. People with this disorder also tend to feel very tired, have difficulty concentrating and sometimes suffer from depression as well.
GAD is usually mild, however, and people with the disorder don’t feel too restricted in social settings. However, if the condition is severe, it can be very debilitating, making it difficult to carry out even the simplest daily tasks.
GAD generally comes on gradually, during childhood or adolescence, but it can occur in adulthood as well. It is more common in women than men, and can appear in several members of the same family, because of its genetic nature. It is diagnosed when someone spends at least six months worrying excessively about numerous everyday problems, and presents with three or more of the identified symptoms.
Successful treatment involves taking anti-depressants and benzodiazepines (special treatment for anxiety). Cognitive-behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques and biofeedback also help to control the disorder.
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