Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by chronic, exaggerated worry and tension that is unfounded or much more severe than the normal anxiety most people experience.

People with this problem usually expect the worst. They worry excessively about money, health, family or work, even when there are no signs of trouble. They are unable to relax and often suffer from insomnia.

Many people with Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder also have one or more of the following symptoms:  
     

• restlessness
• difficulty concentrating
• sleep disturbance
• trembling
• muscle tension
• headaches
• irritability 
• hot flashes
• fatigue

Treatment:

Treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder include psychotherapy and/or psychotherapy and medication.
 
Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been found to be the most effective type of therapy for GAD.  It teaches clients to react differently to the situations and bodily sensations that trigger anxiety symptoms.

Clients learn to understand how their thinking patterns contribute to their symptoms and how to change their thoughts so that symptoms are less likely to occur.

This awareness of thinking patterns is combined with behavioral techniques to help people confront their feared situations.

For more information go to Nami.Org