Transcript GAD: What is it?

Understanding
Generalized
Anxiety Disorder
People with
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
go through the day filled with exaggerated
WORRY and TENSION,
even though there is little or nothing to provoke it.
Sometimes just the thought of getting through the day
produces anxiety.
People with GAD can’t seem to get rid of their concerns,
even though they usually realize that their anxiety is
more intense than the situation warrants.
They anticipate disaster, and are overly concerned
about health issues, money, family problems, or
difficulties at school or work.
GAD develops gradually, and can begin at any point
in the life cycle. The years of highest risk are between
childhood and middle age.
GAD affects
2X as many women as it does men.
So what does
GAD look like?
People with GAD often:
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Have trouble falling asleep
Startle easily
Have trouble staying asleep
Can’t relax
Have difficulty concentrating
When their anxiety level is mild, people
with GAD can often function quite well.
However, if their anxiety is severe, they
can have difficulty carrying out the
simplest daily activities.
What is normal anxiety?
Situation or Trigger:
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First date
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Preparing for an exam
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Performing at a concert
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Giving a speech
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Moving from home
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Climbing a tall ladder
Anxiety:
Apprehension
Nervousness
Tension
Edginess
Nausea
Sweating
Trembling
Transient
Does not significantly
interfere with a person’s
well-being
Does not prevent a person
from achieving their goals
What is abnormal anxiety?
Situation or Trigger:
Anxiety
Persistent
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First date
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Preparing for an exam
Symptom
Domains:
Excessive & Inappropriate
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Performing at a concert
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Giving a speech
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Moving from home
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Climbing a tall ladder
Signaling
Cognition
Thinking
Behaviour
Physical
Intensity
Causes Impairment
Leads to dysfunctional
coping:
- Avoidance
- Withdrawal
GAD: Getting a diagnosis
GAD is diagnosed when a person worries
excessively about a variety of everyday
problems for at least 6 months and impacts
life functioning.
If you think you have an anxiety disorder, the
first person you should see is your family
doctor. They will determine whether the
symptoms are due to an anxiety disorder,
another medical condition, or both.
If an anxiety disorder is diagnosed, the next
step is usually seeing a mental health
professional.
GAD rarely occurs alone, and is often accompanied by:
• Other anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Substance abuse
These accompanying disorders are often treatable,
and should be discussed with a physician.
What Causes GAD?
We know that genetics seems to play a role in the
development of some anxiety disorders, and there is
evidence that genes play a modest role in GAD.
However, GAD (like many mental disorders) is probably
the result of a combination of genetic, environmental,
psychological, and developmental factors.
And, several parts of the brain (including the amygdala
and hippocampus) are known to be involved in the
production of fear and anxiety.
By learning more about how the brain creates fear and
anxiety, scientists may be able to devise better
treatments for anxiety disorders.
Treatment
for GAD
GAD is commonly treated with medication, specific
forms of therapy, or both. The chosen treatment will
depend on the problem, and on the patient’s preference.
The therapies used are: Cognitive and Behavioural
The medications used for GAD include:
• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety drugs
• Beta-blockers (to control some of the physical symptoms)
Treatment
for GAD
Medication will not cure anxiety disorders, but can keep
them under control while the patient receives therapy. And,
any accompanying disorders also have to be treated using
the appropriate therapies.
With proper treatment, many people with anxiety disorders
can lead normal, fulfilling lives!
Want to know more about
Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
The information provided in this presentation is based on
information provided by the National Institute of Mental Health.
For more information about GAD, visit their website at
www.nimh.nih.gov or talk to your family physician.
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Sun Life Financial Chair
In Adolescent Mental Health
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