Define Generalized Anxiety Disorder Research Paper

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most diagnosed mental disorders today, and can often be closely linked to concurrent symptoms or disorders including physiological, behavioral, other anxiety disorders, depression and substance abuse. (Merino, Senra & Ferreiro, 2016) (Cacioppo & Fregberg, 2013, p. 688). GAD most notably produces symptoms of excessive worry and anxiety related to non-specific risks, which often leads to functional decline both socially and professionally (Roberge et al., 2015). GAD reveals instances of links to biological origins such as heredity and biochemistry, as well as, ties to an individual’s cognitive development and socioeconomic environment (Cacioppo & Fregberg, 2013).

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorder in the United States. Between 15 - 19% of the population suffers from this disorder, which impairs the quality of life and functioning (Stuart 218). What is anxiety? Abnormal Psychology describes anxiety as “an adaptive emotion that helps us plan and prepare for a possible theat.” The text book further states, “worrying about many different aspects of life becomes chronic, excessive, and unreasonable.” This is also known as generalized anxiety disorder or GAD (Butcher 201). DSM IV-TR specifies that GAD is a worry that occurs more days then not for at least 6 months, and that it must be experienced as difficult to control (Butcher 201). 25% of those that suffer from this

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a disorder characterized by persistent excessive anxiety and worry that is usually accompanied with other symptoms such as restlessness or feeling keyed up, easy fatigability, difficulty concentration, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbance. Generalized anxiety disorders are common anxiety disorders in Canada, it affects 3% of general population in a given year.(1) It is twice common in women compared to men. GAD often begins in childhood or adolescence. Usually, anxiety symptoms of GAD become less with age, however, it depends on pre-morbid personality functioning, the stability of the relationship, work, and severity

Even though there are no specific statistics showing geographically how many people in each country are affected, it is estimated that “5% - 6% of teens ages 13-18 are affected by this troubling disorder, not including the teens that receive no treatment,” (“Generalized”). Youth that receive no treatment could be considered are under privileged. Meaning that they do not have the resources or are very limited to resources that could help them get the proper treatment for their disorder. Many of those adolescents are children that come from low income families, single family homes, or foster care to name a few. Foster care children however, “Find themselves in a system that is ill-equipped to provide the services they need, and that can further impede their progress towards emotional well-being,” States Lisette Austin, author of “UNLOCKING: Mental Health Services for Youth in Care.” “According to the World Health Organization, nearly 20% of children and adolescents worldwide suffer from some type of emotional or behavioral problem. . .” (“Austin”) (“Mental”). “U.S. Surgeon General reports that roughly 1 in 10 American children experience a mental illness severe enough to cause significant impairment,” (“Austin”) (“Mental”). In her article she also states from another source, Steve Hornberger, Director of Behavioral Health for CWLA, “That anywhere ranging from 40% to 85% of kids in foster care have mental health disorders, depending on what reports you read,” (“Austin”)

Anxiety disorders can take over one’s life, and are very difficult to overcome and live with. The truth of the unknown and wanting to know what is unknown can cause these anxious feelings and thoughts. People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, live life with persistent and constant levels of anxiety. Unlike

Define generalized anxiety disorder, and discuss how it differs from panic attacks, and from specific phobias.

When it comes to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) though they differ in each diagnosis, they also can share a unique bond with each other. Both diagnoses can co-occur among patients. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V), post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that 's triggered by exposure to one or more tragic/terrifying events. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). For generalized anxiety disorder, according to the DSM-V, “the essential feature of generalized anxiety disorder is excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) about a number of events or activities. The intensity, duration, or frequency of the anxiety and worry is out of proportion to the actual likelihood or impact of the anticipated event” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p.1).

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterised by exaggerated and excessive anxiety and worry concerning everyday life events (Roemer, Orsillo, & Barlow, 2002, as cited in Treanor, Erisman, Salter-Pedneault, Roemer, & Orsillo, 2010). This can include; work, family, money and many other factors. Approximately 2% of the population is affected by GAD (Stapinski, Abbott, & Rapee, 2010, as cited in Burton, Westen & Kowalski, 2015). GAD majorly affects the way people think, which can also result in physical symptoms. Patients can exhibit a broad range of symptoms, including; insomnia, fatigue, headaches, nausea, sweating, irritability and so on (Sansgiry & Sail, 2006). There are many different methods employed for the treatment of GAD.

Anxiety is something that everyone experiences to some degree. Unfortunately, for some anxiety completely controls their lives; this is referred to as generalized anxiety disorder. This severe anxiety can cause panic attacks which can make one think they are having a heart attack. It is amazing that our brains have the ability to make our bodies experience all the symptoms of a heart attack. This extreme anxiety is exceedingly dangerous and treatment is vital. Learning what triggers one’s anxiety is the first step. Sometimes just being able to talk to someone about one’s problems, be it a friend, family member or a therapist will help one through these rough times. Therapists have different cognitive-behavioral therapy methods to help overcome

Mrs. Smith was a 54-year-old, married, heterosexual, White female living in Arizona, whose primary language is English. Mrs. Smith was referred by her primary care physician, Dr. James Dell, who requested a psychological evaluation to assess the emotional and psychological function of Mrs. Smith due to her complaints of: headaches, stomachaches, and chest pain, along with depression and anxiety symptoms.

Disorders that are caused by anxiety are very common, and they affect 25-30% of teens all around the world. Generalized anxiety disorder is a disorder that cannot be completely fixed, but it can go away with time. Although there are medications that can help relieve the anxiety, some people chose not to use them because of side effects. Some patients also get relief from GAD from physcotherapy. There are also many side problems associated with GAD. Panic attacks, loss of sleep, depression, and constant worrying and nervousness. This disorder can become severe if left untreated. Depression can make GAD life threatening. Anxiety disorders are very serious, and need to be recognized. GAD is caused by genetics, brain chemical imbalances,

The rationale for the diagnosis is that client Brittany cannot control her anxieties and has been feeling them more intensely and for longer duration's, she also reports feelings “keyed up” and tightness in her chest. Another diagnostic observation is that she reports having trouble concentrating and that affects her job performance during the day. The final diagnosis for Brittany is that her worries are irrational at times and she states that she just cannot stop it from happening, and once it is there, it is “hard to shake”. From all the details, Brittany with has the Generalized anxiety disorder and is part of the rational. Some of the components of Generalized anxiety disorder deals with an individual that has muscle tension, difficulty

The DSM-5 defines Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) as, “hard-to-control, excessive worrying about a variety of issues—health, family problems, money, school, work—results in physical and mental complaints” (2013, p. 191). The duration for this diagnosis is a minimum of six months of symptoms. On the other hand, the DSM-5 describes the essential features of Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) as “something truly awful has happened—grave injury or sexual abuse, or perhaps the traumatic death or injury of someone else” (2013, p. 226). The symptoms can last for up to a month following the specific experience; ranging from clear flashbacks of the event, avoidance of reminding triggers, or amnesia of the event. Whereas GAD is a broad anxiety about

Generalized anxiety disorder must have been something that Tomas had to experience. Tomas must of have something to help him cope and get through this disorder he buildup from worrying to much. Developing cancer was probably something that was unexpected for him to develop through the stages of him being worried all of the time. Couldn't image how difficult it was for him and his family knowing that he was developing cancer, having a stroke, and other medical problems that he has had. The sociocultural perspective: societal and multicultural factors , this developed in March 1979 after a classical study being done called “three miles Island mothers” still display high levels of anxiety and depression. Most powerful form of societal stress is

. For the purposes of this question, I will assume myself to be treating a patient with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). In structuring a treatment program for patient with GAD, I would want to balance both “counselor led” assignments with assignments and projects in which the patient leads his/her own treatment. I feel that this balance is critical because research has demonstrated that real or perceived increased patient control over the initiation and structure of therapeutic contexts can play a beneficial role in making treatments more effective and in the engagement level of patients (Gallagher, Naragon-Gainey, Brown, 2014, p. 10).