An Overview of an Anxiety Disorder

An anxiety disorder is a chronic condition that makes it difficult for you to enjoy the activities of life to the fullest.You may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder as a child or you may not develop any symptoms of this condition until much later in life.Generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder all belong to the general category of anxiety disorders.For the purpose of this article, we will look more closely at one type of anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by constant worry about issues of all shapes and sizes.The constant influx of worry leads to both physical and psychological tension that makes it difficult to get a good night’s rest.Worries can also lead to other physical symptoms, including stomach disorders like nausea and diarrhea.In addition, people with generalized anxiety disorder may have to deal with consistent muscle tension, chronic back and neck pain and frequent headaches as a result.

Medical professionals are still unsure of precisely what causes generalized anxiety disorder.It does appear that those with this condition may have a different makeup of brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which may explain why many with this condition respond well to certain medications.Other factors that may play a part in this diagnosis include environmental factors and genetics, since the disorder tends to run in families.Another possible contributor appears to be a particularly stressful event or time of life, since the condition is often preceded by such an occasion.

The good news is that generalized anxiety disorder can be effectively treated with the help of a medical professional who is experienced in this condition.Medications, like those used to treat depression and other psychological disorders, have also been proven effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (also known as SSRIs) are one of the most common selections in this category and go by commercial names like Prozac and Paxil.While SSRIs are effective for the majority of generalized anxiety disorder patients, they do not work for everyone and doctors have other medication options to try for these patients.

The most effective treatment plan will combine one of these medications with psychotherapy for best results.Psychotherapy helps patients learn to control the thought processes that lead to anxiety and fear to reduce anxiety symptoms.The doctor who leads these psychotherapy sessions is most frequently a psychiatrist or psychologist trained in treating anxiety disorders.A combination of effective psychotherapy and medication is usually the best solution for a patient dealing with generalized anxiety disorder.

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