Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of daily life. Unlike typical anxiety that comes and goes, GAD involves ongoing tension that can disrupt everyday activities and significantly impact quality of life. At Next Step Psychiatry in Lilburn, Georgia, we help patients understand and effectively manage GAD.

What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

GAD is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry that are difficult to control. The worry is present on more days than not and significantly impacts daily functioning.

What distinguishes GAD from normal worry is its persistence, intensity, and the difficulty in controlling it. People with GAD often experience symptoms without a clear reason or trigger, leading to a constant state of apprehension and unease.

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD symptoms fall into several categories:

Psychological Symptoms

• Persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life
• Difficulty controlling worry even when you know it's excessive
• Problems concentrating or mind going blank
• Feeling restless or on edge
• Irritability
• Anticipating the worst even when there's no apparent reason

Physical Symptoms

• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Muscle tension
• Sleep problems (trouble falling or staying asleep)
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Trembling or twitching
• Being easily startled
• Hot flashes

These symptoms can vary in intensity and may come and go over time. In children, symptoms might manifest as excessive worry about school performance or family issues.

What Causes Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

The exact cause of GAD isn't fully understood, but it's believed to result from a combination of factors:

Biological Factors

• Genetics: GAD can run in families
• Brain chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine may contribute

Environmental Factors

• Experiencing traumatic events
• History of childhood abuse or adversity
• Highly stressful environments
• Long-term work-related or personal stress

Life Experiences

• Significant life changes or disruptions
• Family instability
• Loss of a loved one

Co-occurring Conditions

• Managing chronic illness
• Having other anxiety disorders (panic disorder, social phobia)
• Depression

How Is GAD Diagnosed?

Diagnosing GAD requires a thorough psychiatric evaluation. Using criteria from the DSM-5, your psychiatrist will look for excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least six months.

A widely used screening tool is the GAD-7 questionnaire, which helps evaluate the severity of symptoms. Your provider will also assess whether symptoms aren't better explained by other conditions.

Medical tests may be performed to rule out physical conditions that can mimic anxiety symptoms, such as thyroid disorders.

GAD Treatment Options

Treatment for GAD typically includes medication, and many patients also benefit from therapy. At Next Step Psychiatry, we focus on medication management tailored to each patient's needs.

Medication Options

Medications play a pivotal role in managing GAD symptoms:

• SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): Often first-line treatment. Common options include Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Sertraline (Zoloft). They work by stabilizing neurotransmitter levels.
• SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors): Venlafaxine (Effexor) and Duloxetine (Cymbalta) are effective options that work on both serotonin and norepinephrine.
• Buspirone: Provides anti-anxiety benefits without the sedation of other medications.
• Benzodiazepines: May be prescribed for short-term relief, but used cautiously due to dependency risk.

It typically takes a few weeks for these medications to reach full effect. Your psychiatrist will work with you to find the right medication and dosage based on your response to treatment.

Therapy Options

While our focus is on medication management, many patients benefit from adding therapy to their treatment plan. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly well-researched for GAD and helps identify and change negative thought patterns contributing to anxiety.

Living With GAD

In addition to professional treatment, these strategies can help manage GAD:

• Maintain regular sleep schedules
• Exercise regularly
• Limit caffeine and alcohol
• Practice relaxation techniques
• Stay connected with supportive people
• Stick with your treatment plan

GAD Treatment in Lilburn, Georgia

If you're struggling with persistent worry and anxiety, you don't have to face it alone. The psychiatric team at Next Step Psychiatry provides comprehensive evaluations and personalized medication management for generalized anxiety disorder.