Generalized Anxiety Disorder - What do you Know?

Generalized anxiety disorder is a condition that afflicts millions of people. Yet, most of us know very little about it. Here are a few basic facts about the disorder, and how to recognize the symptoms.

A good working definition of generalized anxiety disorder is a condition of extreme worry that has maintained an overwhelming status in your life for over a period of six months. It is important to understand that ongoing stress is something we all deal with in our lives. We have some degree of stress as we seek to balance home life with work, figure out how to pay the bills, plan for the future, and take care of our health. However, most of us are able to shift our attention away from these issues from time to time, and enjoy activities that allow us to prepare to deal with the pressures of daily life once again.

This is where a person with generalized anxiety disorder will differ from most people. Instead of being able to re-focus for a time on other activities, the person who is experiencing the disorder will be unable to let go of any worry that is currently on the mind. The worry will progress beyond figuring out how to deal with the matter and emerge as a major obstacle that simply cannot be overcome. So great will the obsession become that no one and nothing is able to offer any real respite from the worry.

Generalized anxiety disorder not only is debilitating mentally; it can also walk hand in hand with a number of physical ailments. A person who is struggling with stress, undergoing a period of recovery from substance abuse, or someone who is being treating for a potentially life threatening disease, are all candidates for generalized anxiety disorder. The real danger when the disorder is experienced along with another health problem is that the two may actually become worse as a result.

There is some research that indicates generalized anxiety disorder may run in families. The disorder may lie dormant for years, and then be triggered by some traumatic event. Whenever generalized anxiety disorder is suspected, a complete physical by a qualified physician is the first rule of order, followed by an evaluation by a licensed therapist. This approach will allow the attending physicians to effectively treat anything that may interfere with recovery.

If you suspect you or someone you love may be experiencing generalized anxiety disorder, get to a qualified health care professional for evaluation. Treatments are usually easy and yield results very quickly, if the condition is caught early.