Symptoms and Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The purpose of this paper is to take the case of Adrian from a DSM-IV perspective and further analyze it from a more current DSM-5 perspective. Adrian is a 39-year-old Caucasian mother of two children, a son, age 12 and a daughter, age 7. The DSM-IV case study format has given Adrian a principle diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and secondary diagnosis of social phobia. In the following paragraphs, this diagnosis will be discussed using the most recent DSM-5 criteria, other conditions to consider will be explored, the WHODAS and culture formulation interview will be utilized and examined and, lastly, a new DSM-5 diagnosis will be given.

Evaluation for an anxiety disorder often begins with a visit to a primary care provider. Some physical health conditions, such as an overactive thyroid or low blood sugar, as well as taking certain medications, can imitate or worsen an anxiety disorder. A thorough mental health evaluation is also helpful, because anxiety disorders often co-exist with other related conditions, such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Given the prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and associated impairments as well as the significant burden imposed on health care resources, accurate assessment of anxiety is needed. Evaluating GAD and its severity by mental health and primary care clinicians is an increasingly important goal. Reliable

Anxiety disorders present in many different ways and are called by many different names. For example, anxiety can be simply an unspecified, vague feeling of danger or loss of control of a situation or oneself. Anxiety is an appropriate response to everyday uncertainties. It is normal to feel anxious or fearful about everyday situations. However, as said by Edmund J. Bourne, “situational anxiety is different from everyday fear in that it tends to be out of proportion or unrealistic (7).” When anxiety starts to interfere with the present situations and activities, it becomes known as an anxiety disorder. The person experiencing these out-of-proportion responses may need to seek professional help. Different disorders that are in the anxiety spectrum include general anxiety disorder, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, panic disorders, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a considered chronic anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is diagnosed when a person stresses or worries excessively about their everyday problems for 6 months or more. This excessive worrying can cause many concerning physical symptoms. GAD affects about 40 million adults in America. GAD effects twice as many women as it does men. The disorder typically develops gradually, and can begin stage of life. The years of highest risk for GAD development, however, are between childhood and middle aged adults. Although experts are still studying about what causes GAD , and how to cure it, there are several treatments and therapies out there for GAD sufferers. GAD often coincides with other disorders, such as PTSD and depression. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a growing problem in the United States, and it is our responsibility to be aware of what it is, and in pursuit of a solution.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental disorder marked by extreme anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) over a period of at least 6 months. It is accompanied by at least three of these six somatic or psychological symptoms: feeling on edge, fatigue, problems with concentration, feeling irritable, physical tension, and problems with sleep.

This disorder is one of the most arguably common faced encounters clinicians deal with today. Because of this I choose to focus much of my emphasis on the difficulties one face, that’s diagnosed with GAD and the hard ship of building and maintain a good client relationship. Generalized anxiety disorder begins at the onset of a worry and or tension that carries on into more severe and debilitating symptom (American Psychological Association, 1997). These symptoms are triggered by a multitude of reactions or situation that leads the individual to face uncontrollable panic like attacks. Even when a person feels the onset of an Anxiety attack it is difficult for them to control it because of the inability and impairment state it leaves them in.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is described as disproportionate worry or anxiety associated with life circumstances that are difficult to handle (Edmunds & Mayhew, 2014). GAD, often a chronic condition in nature, can impair a patient’s ability to function. Therefore, it is essential to

There are various types of pharmacological interventions when it comes to the treatment of GAD. The medications which are usually prescribed to patients are firstly antidepressants, which are usually prescribed as the first line of treatment for anxiety disorders. Secondly Benzodiazepines which are prescribed to relief acute anxiety disorder symptoms, they are effective for short-term rapid relief but might affect the activities of daily life, impair motor functions, affect concentration and might also result in drug dependence which could lead to abuse. According to (Durham, 2007), “they are not appropriate as a first-line treatment for a chronic condition and should be used for no more than 2–4 weeks” but only in the situation when the immediate management of anxiety

Anxiety is a component found within many other mental disorders. The most common is depression. There are a number of anxiety disorders in the DSM, we will be looking at generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Generalized anxiety disorder causes one to worry and have anxiety about an event or activity that will most likely intensify and have a high impact on that particular activity or event. An individual diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder feels nervous and anxious all of the time. The clinical expression of generalized anxiety disorder is chronic and consistent over a lifespan. The onset is usually 30 years but is spread over a broad range. This disorder is associated with muscle tensions; twitching, feeling, disorder, shaking and muscle aches. Some experience sweating, nausea, and diarrhea. Once a client is diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, remission is not likely. (Association, 2013)

GAD can greatly reduce one’s quality of life. GAD has theorized and went through sweeping changes since 1980 when it first appeared in the DSM. As a college student, I already experience anxiety caused by my academics. I worry about whether or not I will be accepted into graduate school at the right time, or what my future will turn out to be. There are everyday activities such as studying for tests, writing papers, and even life at work that affects me emotionally. It’s always the “what if’s” that cause me to worry. Studies have shown that numerous antidepressants, as well as Buspirone and Benzodiazepines can be used to treat this disorder, as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy. During treatment, clinicians try to discover what events trigger certain types of anxiety (Cognitive-behavioral treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: from science to

Summed up Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is an overstated uneasiness and strain that endures for a considerable length of time and influences roughly 6.8 million Americans or around 3.1 percent of the populace. GAD causes individuals to envision fiasco and stress too much over numerous things, from larger concerns, for example, wellbeing, cash or work to more normal concerns, for example, auto repairs or arrangements. GAD influences twice the same number of ladies as men, and the nervousness turns out to be so serious, ordinary life and connections get to be impeded.

“Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by pervasive worry that is difficult to control and leads to exhausting hypervigilance, multiple somatic symptoms, and impaired social and occupational functioning.” – Resource 7. Resource 4 states that people with GAD have linked GAD to a large amount of their emotions and feel as if their tendence to worry is dangerous and sometimes out of control. This continus on to to effect a big portion of the individuals life. It can affect how they negatively perceive their emotions, thoughts and physiological sensations. Individuals with GAD can feel a strong lack of compassion in regards to their experiences and self processing. This essay will be discussing three different kinds of treatment

There are four main anxiety disorders which includes, Generalized Anxiety Disorder GAD, Phobic Disorder, Panic Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The most common of these anxiety disorders is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Clients diagnosed with GAD usually demonstrate a high level of anxiety that is not tied to any specific threat with a tendency to be particularly sensitive and susceptible. Being diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, I myself can personally attest to the importance of therapy. The fear of being labeled with a ‘disorder’ in the military or being linked to PTSD after a deployment, therapy was not an option due to fear of losing one’s job. However, the social worker that acquired my case made such a significant difference in my life the decision to change from a nursing major to social work took precedence.

Anxiety is when the everyday worrying becomes exaggerated. Most people feel anxiety about paying bills, succeeding in a career of school, but it is when the worrying becomes extreme they may be suffering for anxiety disorder. About 40 million adults struggle with anxiety, but only a third of them are getting treated for the anxiety disorder. The cause of the disorder is not known. There are many different theories of anxiety. The different theories of anxiety can help the people with this disorder better understand what may be the cause of their specific anxiety disorder. Some of these categories are physiological, psychoanalytic, cognitive, uncertainty, and behavioral. Though out this paper each of those categories will be discussed along with the people who have helped make these theories.

Anxiety is considered as a common feature of daily living and is experienced by every individual in different ways. It generally has both physical and cognitive attributes which physically leads the body to increasing impairment and cognitively to an anticipation of threatening events or feelings of apprehension and fear. (Davey, 2016) Experiencing feelings of anxiety is quite natural and the resulting reaction as well, as they have evolved as adaptive responses that is essential to perform effectively in challenging situations. However, anxiety can often become so intense or attached to inappropriate events or moments that it becomes maladaptive and turns into a problem for the individual (Lépine , 2002). At this point an anxiety disorder may develop. These disorders have the effect of leading the individual to various long-term behavioural, social and community concerns consisting of impaired family relationships, lack of success in academic life and other mental health disorders (AACAP Work Group on Quality Issues, 2007; as cited in Davey, 2016; p. 147) There are several types of anxiety disorders. However, in this essay I will particularly focus on social anxiety disorder and generalised anxiety disorder and, compare and contrast the treatment methods surrounding these two disorders.