Anxiety Disorder

Everyone gets stressed out at one time or another, some more often than others. It's normal to experience some level of anxiety, and even healthy to an extent, but for some, worrying becomes a health issue. Anxiety disorder affects about 15% of the American population, according to studies conducted at the Harvard Medical School. Normal levels of fear are good for us, to enable us to react against possible danger and threats, both physical and emotional. Such a defensive mechanism helps us to cope with unexpected situations and events over which we usually have no control. But for people suffering from general anxiety disorder, these mechanisms are triggered by even non-threatening events. Sometimes, these behaviors are inherited.

General anxiety disorder, or GAD as it's commonly known, emotionally cripples thousands of people every year with feelings of unease and apprehension. Most of us are able to deal with every day stresses and challenges, but those suffering from general anxiety disorder aren't able to turn off the alarm bells. Many people never seek help from anxiety disorder symptoms out of embarrassment or shame, though treatment is available.

In medical terms, general anxiety disorder is caused by sometimes-inherited abnormalities in the brain's neurotransmitters. Most people don't realize that treatment for general anxiety disorder is successful in more than three quarters of people treated with the condition. Signs and symptoms of general anxiety disorder can appear to be that of a panic attack, with accelerated heart rate, rapid, shallow breathing and trembling. In addition to these symptoms is an overall feeling of constant worry. Some experience irritability and restlessness. Many sufferers of anxiety disorder also experience upset stomach, nausea and diarrhea and headaches. Such symptoms cause many doctors to look first for physical ailments to find the cause, and if the patient isn't forthcoming about their emotional concerns and share them with the doctor, diagnosis may be delayed or remain unidentified. It's important to share with family and friends if such symptoms don't go away within a reasonable period of time or if symptoms of anxiety disorder grow worse.

Studies have also shown that with today's hectic living pace, nearly fifty out of every hundred people is suffering from some level of anxiety disorder. Nearly half of those suffering from general anxiety disorder who recognize the symptoms and seek treatment generally recover in a very short period of time, while nearly three quarters of those will show improvements within a year. Delaying treatment in the hopes of dealing with the anxiety disorder independently will only slow progress. Many treatment options for general anxiety disorder are available, including medication and psychotherapy. Most effective for short-term treatment options are drugs that offer a calming effect on sufferers, and this treatment works well with about half of people diagnosed with general anxiety disorder. For longer-term treatment, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications are usually prescribed. With either medication treatment, it's important to realize that it may take up to three weeks before experiencing relief from symptoms of general anxiety disorder.

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