Living With Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Most of the world?s populace has or will suffer from some kind of mental disorder. It seems that a new one is discovered each month. Never the less these disorders and Phobias can make the life of the suffer quite miserable. One the most common mental conditions is called anxiety or anxiety disorder. There are many derivations of this common mental illness. A severe form is called GAD short for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

In general anxiety is the natural reaction to being exposed to a dangerous, unsecured or threatening experience. GAD on the other hand is an excessive and pathological anxiety. It is so severe that often people who suffer from it cannot normally function in society. Their daily life?s activities are disrupted by unreasonable fears to the point that they are unable do much more than physically exist.

The unique feather of GAD is that is not triggered by a specific incident, situation or object. This ?free-floating? anxiety, unlike panic or anxiety attacks does not depend on a memory of a triggering event. Worldwide it is estimated that between 175 and 196 million people suffer from GAD. Women are more likely then men to suffer from this anxiety disorder.

It is generally accepted that generalized anxiety disorder is associated with the irregular levels of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain. Serotonin, Norepinepherine and Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) are chemical neurotransmitters known to be involved with anxiety disorders. Research has shown that all three of these chemicals interact with one another during an anxiety or panic attack. The reduction of one or more of these neurotransmitters can result in the reduction of anxiety.

GAD suffers are at high risk to react to situation or location stress such as in large crowded stores, work place and transportation environments. Normal anxiety stressors like interpersonal relationships at work and school, financial and health problems can increase the affects of GAD symptoms.

Additional psychiatric problems commonly are manifest with GAD. These include depression, phobias and panic disorders. Adding these problems to the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can complicate treatment options. Frequently the patient also will suffer from a number of physical disorders related to stress. These include intestinal, digestion and cardio-pulmonary related problems.

Additional Gad symptoms include sleep disorders, racing thoughts, persistent unreasonable worries, nausea, persistent lack of energy and tiredness, depression, the inability to concentrate, manic like mood swings and inability to use self control around others especially in a social environments. All of which makes the life of a Generalized Anxiety Disorder sufferer absolutely miserable.

As you can clearly see this is a very serious mental disorder that requires serious medical treatment. As with any anxiety disorder the sooner you address the condition the more likely you will have favorable results and outcome. The worst thing a sufferer of GAD can do is ignore their symptoms until they are so affected, they are unable to live a normal life.

If you have one or more of the symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder you should consult you family physician. Most likely they will refer you to mental health professional that specializes in treating this serious disorder. Again time is of the essence when treating any mental disorder

James A. Kesel, MS http://www.stop-anxiety-attacks.net