Generalized anxiety disorder, also called GAD, is a psychological disorder in which there is excessive worry in everyday life, which can lead to the emergence of psychological and physical symptoms, such as irritability, restlessness, cardiac and respiratory changes, tiredness, mouth dryness, excessive sweating and difficulty concentrating, for example.
The causes of GAD are not fully understood, but environmental and genetic factors can influence the development of generalized anxiety and the appearance of symptoms.
The treatment of generalized anxiety disorder aims to interrupt the cycle of worries and must be guided by a psychologist or psychiatrist, and relaxation techniques or the use of medication may be recommended, depending on the degree of the disorder.
Symptoms of generalized anxiety
The main symptoms of generalized anxiety are:
- Excessive worry;
- Memory loss;
- Restlessness;
- Muscle pain;
- Double vision;
- Cardiac changes;
- Increased respiratory rate;
- Excessive sweating;
- Dry mouth;
- Tiredness;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Insomnia;
- Irritability.
GAD symptoms can be physical and/or psychological and usually last for at least 6 months. It is recommended that, in the presence of these symptoms, a psychologist be consulted, as this will enable the most appropriate treatment to be initiated, helping to alleviate symptoms and improve the person’s quality of life.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
Symptom Test
To find out if you have GAD, select the symptoms shown in the test below:
The symptom test is only a guidance tool and does not serve as a diagnosis or replace consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Causes of generalized anxiety
The causes of generalized anxiety disorder are not fully understood, however there are genetic, environmental and neurotransmitter-related factors that may be involved in the development of the signs and symptoms of this disorder.
People who have very busy lives, who are under continuous stress or who tend to pay close attention to the smallest details are more likely to develop the disorder. Furthermore, some genetic conditions can increase a person’s chance of developing this psychological disorder.
Generalized anxiety disorder can manifest itself at different ages, and can even affect the ability to carry out day-to-day activities and those related to family and friends, for example, and it is important that appropriate treatment is initiated.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of generalized anxiety disorder must be carried out under the guidance of a psychologist or psychiatrist, and aims to interrupt the cycle of excessive worries and promote an improvement in quality of life.
The behavioral model based on acceptance is a great form of treatment that can be implemented by the psychologist and if the symptoms demonstrated by the patient are specific, therapy sessions and activities that promote relaxation can be recommended, such as meditation, yoga, mindfulness and the practice of physical activities.
However, when symptoms are more frequent and start to disrupt day-to-day life and interfere with quality of life, it may be necessary to take anxiolytic or antidepressant medications, which should be used in accordance with medical advice. Furthermore, it is very important that the person continues to attend therapy sessions even if they feel better after starting to take the medication. Find out how anxiety is treated.
Is there a cure for generalized anxiety?
Generalized anxiety disorder has a cure and, therefore, it is important that people seek psychological help as soon as they realize that they are too worried about small things, for example. Therapy is very important in these cases, as it allows the person to share their problems with the therapist and learn to value small things less.
See also how to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety through the following video:
Bibliography
- BARLOW, DAVID H. Clinical manual of psychological disorders: Step-by-step treatment. 5th ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed, 2016. 206-217.
