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Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder

  • Writer: Publicity PSYSOC
    Publicity PSYSOC
  • Feb 3, 2024
  • 2 min read

Written By Cruz Jamie Christianne M.


Exam stress and pre-interview worries. Sound familiar? These are examples of everyday anxiety. It becomes Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), a prevalent mental disorder, when an individual deals with persistent feelings of hopelessness and tension, affecting their relationships. They have constant restlessness and nervousness as well (SingHealth, 2024.; Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024).

For no real reason, people who have GAD frequently catastrophize mundane situations. They often fear the worst and obsessively try to prepare themselves for it. For example, worrying about the safety of their family members (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024). So much so that they cannot function as well as the average person, and it can significantly affect their inter-social relationships (SingHealth). They can mistakenly assume that a situation is threatening when it does not mean to be. GAD is also very draining psychologically.  This can lead to an increased depression risk (Mayo Clinic, 2024).



GAD can be caused by many factors. One of the main factors is genetics. Women and people with chronic illnesses are more prone to developing GAD ((Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024). The risk of getting GAD also increases if they have a family history of anxiety or mood disorders. Next, traumatic and considerably stressful events like accidents or deaths can cause GAD. Substance abuse is also a risk factor (SingHealth, 2024).



Symptoms of GAD manifest in cognitive and physical forms. Cognitive symptoms include difficulty concentrating and relaxing, unrealistic views of personal issues, sleeping difficulties, and situation aversion. Physical symptoms are clammy hands, digestive issues, muscle tension, nausea, frequent urination, and fidgeting (SingHealth, 2024; Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024). These symptoms are only diagnosable as GAD if they persist for over half a year (Johns Hopkins Medicine 2024). Particularly in children with GAD, their symptoms can manifest as perfectionism, low self-esteem, and the excessive need for validation (Mayo Clinic, 2024).



 Individuals with GAD can seek help from psychologists and implement the following strategies. Psychotherapy which includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a highly effective tool in helping patients with GAD manage their condition. It helps people shift their behaviors away from anxiety-inducing situations. Next, CBT techniques like relaxation techniques can also be used to help patients manage their condition. These methods can help soothe the anxious mind and weary body. Consistently practicing yoga and relaxation can drastically decrease stress levels and allow individuals to become more mindful during troubling situations. Finally, medication could be prescribed to treat GAD (SingHealth, 2024). A combination of medicine and CBT will be the most effective treatment for GAD (John Hopkins, 2024). 



It is important to note that although GAD has similar symptoms as other anxiety disorders like panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, they are not the same (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024). To prevent GAD, it is important to recognize its symptoms and practice calm and relaxing activities to soothe the stress before it blows out of proportion. It is also good to have a good exercise routine, healthy diet with less caffeine, and not hesitate to reach out for support as soon as possible (SingHealth, 2024; Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024).


 

References



KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. (n.d.). Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). SingHealth. https://www.singhealth.com.sg/patient-care/conditions-treatments/generalised-anxiety-disorder-GAD


Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20360803

 
 
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