GAD: What is it?

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Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder
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People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
go through the day filled with exaggerated
WORRY and TENSION, even though there is little
or nothing to provoke it. Sometimes just
the thought of getting through the day produces
anxiety.
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People with GAD cant seem to get rid of their
concerns, even though they usually realize that
their anxiety is more intense than the situation
warrants.
They anticipate disaster, and are overly
concerned about health issues, money, family
problems, or difficulties at school or work.
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GAD develops gradually, and can begin at any
point in the life cycle. The years of highest
risk are between childhood and middle age.
GAD affects 2X as many women as it does men.
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So what does GAD look like?

• People with GAD often
• Have trouble falling asleep
• Startle easily
• Have trouble staying asleep
• Cant relax
• Have difficulty concentrating

When their anxiety level is mild, people with GAD
can often function quite well. However, if
their anxiety is severe, they can have difficulty
carrying out the simplest daily activities.
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What is normal anxiety?

• Situation or Trigger
• First date
• Preparing for an exam
• Performing at a concert
• Giving a speech
• Moving from home
• Climbing a tall ladder

Anxiety Apprehension Nervousness Tension Edgines
s Nausea Sweating Trembling
Transient Does not significantly interfere
with a persons well-being Does not prevent a
person from achieving their goals
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What is abnormal anxiety?
Anxiety Symptom Domains Signaling
Cognition Thinking Behaviour Physical

• Situation or Trigger
• First date
• Preparing for an exam
• Performing at a concert
• Giving a speech
• Moving from home
• Climbing a tall ladder

• Persistent
• Excessive Inappropriate
• Intensity
• Causes Impairment
• Leads to dysfunctional coping
• - Avoidance
• - Withdrawal

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GAD Getting a diagnosis
GAD is diagnosed when a person worries
excessively about a variety of everyday problems
for at least 6 months and impacts life
functioning. If you think you have an anxiety
disorder, the first person you should see is your
family doctor. They will determine whether the
symptoms are due to an anxiety disorder, another
medical condition, or both. If an anxiety
disorder is diagnosed, the next step is usually
seeing a mental health professional.
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• GAD rarely occurs alone, and is often accompanied
  by
• Other anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Substance abuse

These accompanying disorders are often treatable,
and should be discussed with a physician.
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What Causes GAD?

• We know that genetics seems to play a role in
  the development of some anxiety disorders, and
  there is evidence that genes play a modest role
  in GAD.
• However, GAD (like many mental disorders) is
  probably the result of a combination of genetic,
  environmental, psychological, and developmental
  factors.
• And, several parts of the brain (including the
  amygdala and hippocampus) are known to be
  involved in the production of fear and anxiety.
• By learning more about how the brain creates
  fear and anxiety, scientists may be able to
  devise better treatments for anxiety disorders.

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Treatment for GAD

• GAD is commonly treated with medication,
  specific forms of therapy, or both. The chosen
  treatment will depend on the problem, and on the
  patients preference.
• The therapies used are Cognitive and
  Behavioural
• The medications used for GAD include
• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety drugs
• Beta-blockers (to control some of the physical
  symptoms)

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Treatment for GAD
Medication will not cure anxiety disorders, but
can keep them under control while the patient
receives therapy. And, any accompanying disorders
also have to be treated using the appropriate
therapies. With proper treatment, many people
with anxiety disorders can lead normal,
fulfilling lives!
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Want to know more about Generalized Anxiety
Disorder?
The information provided in this presentation is
based on information provided by the National
Institute of Mental Health. For more
information about GAD, visit their website at
www.nimh.nih.gov or talk to your family physician.
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