Generalized Anxiety Disorder

by | Dec 13, 2014 | Anxiety, Articles, Slider

It is normal to feel anxious from time to time. Anxiety actually helps us survive or achieve our goals. Think about it…Anxiety is actually a good motivator when the level is moderate. If you have a test coming up in school, a little anxiety helps motivate you to study and then you do well on the test. Too little anxiety isn’t motivating and too much anxiety is paralyzing. That’s when we need to recognize the difference between normal anxiety and clinical anxiety. Chronic, clinical anxiety interferes with a person’s ability to function normally, and one common disorder we diagnose and treat at West Maui Counseling Center as Maui Psychologists is called Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

GAD is characterized by an excessive, ongoing sense of worry or ruminative anxiety that intereferes with day to day functioning. It can first start during childhood or adulthood and must last at least 6 months to be diagnosed. Most people who suffer from GAD describe themselve as “worriers” and feel a simmering sense of anxiety the majority of the time.

Some common signs and symptoms include the following:

  • Persistent worrying or obsession about small or large concerns that’s out of proportion
  • Inability to set aside or let go of a worry
  • Inability to relax, restlessness, and feeling “keyed up” or “on edge”
  • Difficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind “goes blank”
  • Worrying about excessively worrying
  • Distress about making decisions for fear of making the wrong decision
  • Carrying every option in a situation all the way out to its possible negative conclusion
  • Difficulty handling uncertainty or indecisiveness

Physical signs and symptoms may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension or muscle aches
  • Trembling, feeling twitchy
  • Being easily startled
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Sweating
  • Nausea, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome
  • Headaches

If you or a loved one may be suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder help is available. GAD is treated through psychotherapy and possibly medications if clinically indicated and is agreeable to the patient. At WMCC, we work with patients who want to integrate psychopharmacological intervention (meds) and respect those who don’t as well. It matters most to us that the patient is on board with their treatment plan. Call us for help in the treatment of your clinical anxiety. Through cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation training, and social support, GAD can get better.