Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Definition and Diagnosis

Definition and Diagnosis

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic and excessive worry about everyday things, even when there is no apparent reason to worry.
• Diagnosed when excessive anxiety and worry occur more days than not for at least 6 months.
• Must experience three or more of the following symptoms:
  • Restlessness or feeling on edge
  • Fatigue
  • Concentration problems
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep disturbance

Symptoms

• Excessive and persistent worry about everyday things, such as:
  • Work or school performance
  • Financial matters
  • Relationships
  • Health concerns
• Physical symptoms:
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Feeling of impending doom
  • Nausea or abdominal discomfort
  • Headaches
• Behavioral symptoms:
  • Avoidance behaviors
  • Restlessness or fidgeting
  • Difficulty concentrating

Causes and Risk Factors

• Genetics: family history of anxiety disorders
• Brain chemistry: imbalance of neurotransmitters such as GABA and serotonin
• Environmental: stressful life events, trauma, or significant changes
• Personality traits: perfectionism, low self-esteem, and neuroticism
• Medical conditions: thyroid disorders, heart conditions, and chronic pain

Treatment and Management

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): helps change negative thought patterns and behaviors
• Medications:
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  • Benzodiazepines (for short-term use)
• Lifestyle changes:
  • Regular exercise and relaxation techniques (e.g., meditation, yoga)
  • Healthy sleep habits and nutrition
  • Stress management and time management techniques

Definition and Diagnosis

• GAD is characterized by chronic and excessive worry about everyday things, even when there is no apparent reason to worry.
• Diagnosis requires excessive anxiety and worry for at least 6 months, with symptoms occurring more days than not.
• At least 3 of the following symptoms must be present:
  • Restlessness or feeling on edge
  • Fatigue
  • Concentration problems
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep disturbance

Symptoms

• Excessive and persistent worry about everyday things, such as work, school, finances, relationships, and health concerns.
• Physical symptoms include:
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Feeling of impending doom
  • Nausea or abdominal discomfort
  • Headaches
• Behavioral symptoms include:
  • Avoidance behaviors
  • Restlessness or fidgeting
  • Difficulty concentrating

Causes and Risk Factors

• Genetic predisposition: family history of anxiety disorders
• Imbalance of neurotransmitters such as GABA and serotonin
• Environmental factors:
  • Stressful life events
  • Trauma
  • Significant changes
• Personality traits:
  • Perfectionism
  • Low self-esteem
  • Neuroticism
• Medical conditions:
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Heart conditions
  • Chronic pain

Treatment and Management

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps change negative thought patterns and behaviors
• Medications include:
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  • Benzodiazepines (for short-term use)
• Lifestyle changes:
  • Regular exercise and relaxation techniques (e.g., meditation, yoga)
  • Healthy sleep habits and nutrition
  • Stress management and time management techniques

Definition and Diagnosis

• Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurring panic attacks
• Diagnostic criteria include:
  • Recurring unexpected panic attacks and at least one of the following for 1 month or more:
    • Persistent concern about having another attack
    • Worry about the implications of the attack
    • Significant change in behavior related to the attacks

Symptoms

• Panic attacks have:
  • Sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort
  • Peak within minutes and last for 15-30 minutes
  • At least 4 of the following symptoms:
    • Palpitations or rapid heartbeat
    • Sweating
    • Trembling or shaking
    • Shortness of breath or feeling of choking
    • Nausea or abdominal distress
    • Feeling of impending doom or death
• Agoraphobia is characterized by:
  • Fear of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing
  • Avoidance of such situations or endurance with significant distress

Causes and Risk Factors

• Biological factors contributing to panic disorder:
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Brain chemistry imbalance
• Psychological factors contributing to panic disorder:
  • Stress
  • Trauma
  • Negative thinking patterns
• Environmental factors contributing to panic disorder:
  • Upbringing and childhood experiences
  • Social and cultural influences

Treatment and Management

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) involves:
  • Identifying and challenging negative thought patterns
  • Learning relaxation techniques
  • Gradual exposure to feared situations
• Medications used to treat panic disorder:
  • Antidepressants (SSRIs)
  • Benzodiazepines (in some cases)
• Lifestyle changes for managing panic disorder:
  • Regular exercise
  • Healthy diet
  • Stress management techniques

Definition of Phobic Disorders

• Characterized by excessive and persistent fear or anxiety about a specific object, situation, or activity
• Type of anxiety disorder

Types of Phobic Disorders

• Specific Phobia: Fear of specific objects, situations, or activities (e.g., spiders, heights, enclosed spaces)
• Social Phobia: Fear of social or performance situations with possible scrutiny by others
• Agoraphobia: Fear of situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing (e.g., shopping malls, public transportation)

Symptoms of Phobic Disorders

• Physical Symptoms: Panic, rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, nausea
• Psychological Symptoms: Avoidance of feared object/situation, anxiety, feelings of panic or dread

Causes and Risk Factors of Phobic Disorders

• Genetics: Family history of anxiety disorders
• Brain Chemistry: Imbalance of neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin, GABA)
• Environmental Factors: Traumatic experiences, learned behavior, cultural or social influences

Treatment Options for Phobic Disorders

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors
• Exposure Therapy: Gradual exposure to feared object/situation to reduce anxiety
• Medications: Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, beta-blockers to alleviate symptoms

Complications of Phobic Disorders

• Comorbid Mental Health Disorders: Depression, substance abuse, other anxiety disorders
• Social and Occupational Impairment: Avoidance of social situations/activities leading to social isolation and occupational impairment