Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Overview of Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Meaning in Urdu

اضطراب ایک عام بیماری ہے جو کسی بھی لاحق ہو سکتی ہے۔ مثال کے طور پر کچھ لوگوں کو انٹرویو سے پہلے یا لوگوں کے درمیان گفتگو کرتے وقت اضطراب کا سامنا کرنا پڑتا ہے۔ لیکن اگر اضطراب کا کئی ہفتوں یا مہینوں تک سامنا کرنا پڑے تو یہ ایک خطرناک ذہنی بیماری ہو سکتی ہے۔ ایسے افراد جو زیادہ عرصے کے لیے اضطراب کو شکار رہتے ہیں ان کے لیے اپنی پریشانی کو کنٹرول کرنا مشکل ثابت ہو سکتا ہے۔ اس کے علاوہ اضطراب کی وجہ سے تھکاوٹ، نیند میں مشکلات، پٹھوں کے درد، اور متلی وغیرہ جیسی طبی علامات کا بھی سامنا کرنا پڑتا ہے۔

 

It's human nature to feel stressed or worried sometimes, but if you worry or take stress to the extent that they intervene in your ability to function properly and makes it impossible for you to relax, then you may be suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. 

GAD is a common anxiety order in which you feel constant worrying, nervousness, and tension gnawing at you. There is this constant fear that looms over your head. GAD differs from phobias, as in phobias the fear or uneasiness is connected to a specific trigger point but in GAD, there is this feeling of dread and worry that colors your whole life. 

GAD is similar to a panic attack but is less intense and lasts for much longer. 

Constant worrying and uneasiness can make your life a difficult chore with no seemingly easier path. It can be mentally and physically exhausting for you.   

All of us worry about something or another. Sitting for a test, giving an interview, or meeting someone for the first time are some of the common activities that induce nervousness or uneasiness in us. But having this cloud of worry and fear looming over your head constantly brings much more harm than benefit. 

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Being stuck in a repetitive cycle of dark thoughts is a prominent symptom of GAD. Some other symptoms of GAD can be divided into Emotional symptoms and Behavioral Symptoms. 

The most prominent emotional symptoms are: 

  • Excessive worrying 
  • Intrusive thoughts
  • Persistent thoughts 
  • Disruption in the ability to function through daily life activities properly 
  • You worry uncontrollably 
  • You always imagine the worst in situations and are always worrying about all the matters 
  • Your worries are extremely troublesome 
  • You are stuck in this “Worry-cycle” for every day of the past 6 months.
  • You have this inability to comprehend and tolerate uncertain situations

Behavioral Symptoms of GAD

A person suffering from GAD may exhibit these signs and symptoms:

  • Inability to relax 
  • Have difficulty concentrating or focusing on things 
  • Always feeling overwhelmed and putting things off
  • Avoiding situations that might trigger your anxieties even more

Physical Symptoms of GAD

Due to all this stress and worry, our body also starts to wear and tear. Some physical changes that you can see in a person suffering from GAD are:

  • As you are constantly stressed, your muscles take the better of it and you feel knots and tightness in your muscles and body aches. 
  • Because of the hypersensitive mind and repetitive thoughts, you can’t fall asleep or have trouble falling asleep 
  • You have this uneasiness and restlessness 
  • Stomach issues 

People from any age group can fall prey to anxiety disorders.

Types of Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Causes of Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Some of the causes of GAD include:

  • Genes: One of the reasons that you are suffering from GAD can be your genes as the problem runs in your genetics.
  • Brain Chemistry: Your brain's ability to control and deal with situations and emotions can be on a different path. The problem with brain wiring can cause you to suffer from GAD.
  • Environmental Factors: Many environmental factors such as stressful life events, traumas, and childhood sufferings can cause GAD.
  • Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can be responsible for GAD. Symptoms of these diseases can overlap and can make your existing anxiety even worse. 
  • Substance Abuse: Falling prey to substance abuse at an early age can be the cause of GAD. 
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Risk Factors of Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Some possible risk factors of GAD include: 

  • Having a family history of anxiety disorders 
  • Childhood abuse 
  • Being exposed to some serious family, financial, or illness that induced a great amount of anxiety, stress, or tension 
  • Excessive use of tobacco or caffeine 
  • Hyperactivity in parts of the brain responsible for emotion and behavior 
  • Exposure to domestic abuse 
  • History of drug/ alcohol misuse

Apart from these possible risk factors, many people develop this anxiety disorder without any apparent reason.

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Prevention

Remember, self-help is not a complete solution to this disorder. Consider your doctor first. Support from your peers and others can substantially help you in overcoming your anxieties. Some approaches you can do to self-help are: 

  • Build a strong support system - we are social animals, who love to interact, and share our problems. Build yourself a strong support system where you can pour your heart out and also consider and value their opinions
  • Talk to others as soon as you feel you are about to go into a spiral of depressive thoughts 
  • Avoid triggering points - There are some people or things that trigger our anxieties in us. Identify these and try to avoid them as you feel the anxiety building
  • Learn some calming approaches. There are certain smells, sights, and sounds that instantly create a calming effect. Identify them and work with them. From time to time, give yourself a head or neck massage. Feel the cool breeze against your skin and cherish it
  • Physical activities like running, walking, or stretching also help divert the mind
  • Try to be more mindful
  • Try to look at your worries and problems from another perspective
  • Learn to channel your anxieties into a meaningful and productive activity

 

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Diagnosis

If you feel you have some signs/ symptoms of anxiety disorder, you should immediately consult your primary healthcare provider. He/she will ask you a couple of questions and based on your assessment, they will refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. 

This anxiety disorder can be a by-product of some other underlying medical condition. This anxiety has been linked to: 

Treatment of Anxiety Disorder (GAD) | When to Consult a Doctor

Some tests that can help the diagnosis of GAD are: 

  • A blood test to check hormonal levels. These levels can indicate the occurrence of any thyroid disorder. 
  • Urine tests to determine exposure to form of abuse 
  • X-rays to check on your heart and digestive system 
  • Stress tests 
  • Gastric reflux tests 

In case you exhibit any concerning signs and symptoms of GAD, consult a medical professional as soon as possible.

Treatment of Anxiety Disorder 

Anxiety disorders can be treated through multiple mediums involving therapies and in some cases medication. 

Usually, the therapy that can help GAD patients is: 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The goal of this therapy is to change the way you think and perceive other people’s actions. These therapy sessions have shown long-term anxiety relief. You will be able to control and channel your anxieties. Some calming approaches are also introduced. 

Medication 

In some cases, your doctors will also prescribe some medication. The level of your anxiety level will determine whether a long-term or short-term course of medication is necessary for you. 

For the treatment to work properly and effectively, it is necessary to be completely and totally truthful to your doctor and keep in constant touch. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication have some side effects as well.