What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

People with GAD typically worry far more about far many more things than objective facts justify. However, nearly everybody worries sometimes and many people find that worry can occasionally be hard to control. As a result GAD can be difficult to diagnose. However, GAD is characterized by chronic worry accompanied by low-key nervousness and anxiety. There are no panic attacks. Some people with GAD may be able to state what it is that makes them nervous on each occasion, while others may not. Children, teens and adults can all suffer from GAD.

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (DSM-IV Criteria)

In order to be diagnosed with GAD a person must meet the following symptoms:

•    For more than half the days in six months or more, the person experiences excessive anxiety and worry about several events or activities.
•    The person has trouble controlling these feelings.
•    Associated with this worry and anxiety, the person has three or more of the following symptoms, some of which are present for over half the days in the past six months:
    Tiring easily
    Irritability
    Trouble sleeping
    Trouble concentrating
    Feelings of being restless, edgy, keyed up
    Increased muscle tension
•    Aspects of another anxiety disorder (like a phobia, or a compulsion that is part of obsessive-compulsive disorder) do not provide the focus of the anxiety and worry.
•    The disorder is not directly caused by a general medical condition or by the use of substances, including medication.
•    The symptoms cause significant stress or impair work, social, or personal functioning.
•    This disorder does not exclusively occur during a mood disorder, psychotic disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or a pervasive developmental disorder.

Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

It is important to ascertain that the person does indeed have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and not just normal anxious feelings that everyone experiences from time to time. Cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are usually the most common treatments for GAD. Alternative therapies such as Energy Psychology may also be helpful for children and teens with GAD and may be easier for them to apply. For instance EFT (emotional freedom technique) and WHEE are both suitable self-help therapies for children who worry excessively.

Some common medications for GAD include Buspirone (Buspar) – a non-sedating and non-addictive medication, Benzodiapenes – which act more strongly and quickly but also cause fatigue and physical and psychological dependence, and Anti-depressant medications – which take up to 6 weeks to take full effect and can cause side-effects such as insomnia and nausea. Although some teenagers will do well on medication for GAD, younger children may have sufficiently positive reactions to alternative treatments such as Bach Flower Therapy, herbs, homeopathy and other naturopathic interventions. Of course, these may be a first-stop for teens and adults as well.