Generalized Anxiety Disorder
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What is Anxiety?
Anxiety can be a normal emotional reaction. It can even be a healthy response to specific events. However, feeling stress at frequent levels is a disorder. This is known as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Knowing how to differentiate the two can determine if your loved one needs help. In normal everyday life, anxiety is necessary for survival. When faced with potentially harmful triggers, your body reacts by going into a fight-or-flight response. This is a biological response present in all people. The flight-or-fight response enables us to avoid danger. However, anxiety is dangerous when small events become intense triggers. Common triggers include changes to health, money, work, and family life.
- Worrying thoughts
- Feelings of tension
- Physical changes
- Sweating
- Enhanced awareness
- Increased heartbeat
An anxiety disorder is fight-or-flight at work during events that do not require this instinct. People who suffer from GAD feel anxiety frequently, even if the reaction is out of proportion. It’s important to identify in your loved one when symptoms are a normal response, and when their anxiety is spiraling out of control. You might decide they need treatment. If you suspect you or someone you know suffers from anxiety, seek help. At Clear Recovery Center, we’re here to help anxiety sufferers every step of the way.
How We Treat Anxiety
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can develop in anyone. The symptoms are similar to other stress-triggered disorders. People who are prone to GAD also might suffer from paranoia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. If someone you know presents symptoms of GAD, you’ll want to help them seek professional help. But it can be hard to identify if your loved one has GAD or a different disorder. Treatment for GAD typically includes both medication and therapy. Each approach is based on an individual client’s needs.
At Clear Recovery, our treatment options teach our patients how to manage stress. We walk each individual through the steps necessary to deal with anxiety. We focus on relaxation techniques and provide coping skills for managing stress. Remember that feeling anxious is a natural response.
Experiencing it is not always an indicator of a mental health disorder. To reduce stress in your life, however, a person must take some vital steps. Some common suggestions we offer include:
- Reducing caffeine intake
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Establishing a regular sleeping pattern
- Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs
As a center for treating co-occurring disorders, we have the resources to help patients with both anxiety and addiction. If someone you know needs help for these afflictions, contact us today.
We never make assumptions about a person’s life or experiences and pride ourselves on being providers of outstanding mental health care that is both effective and long-lasting.
Our Programs
At Clear Recovery, our programs separate clients from their stressful triggers. These include social media and other technologies. We believe the constant connection to these technologies drives generalized anxiety disorder. They can worsen conditions that people already have. We focus on managing technology dependence as it relates to stress.
We encourage our patients to unplug. Our team helps clients connect to others in meaningful ways. In doing so, we’ve noticed reductions in anxious behavior. Constant stress and anxiety can be extremely debilitating. It can significantly impact a person’s daily life. Our programs include therapy and counseling. We aim to help your loved one manage these struggles every step of the way until they’re ready to.
How Anxiety Affects Sufferers
In the United States, 40 million people suffer from an anxiety disorder. It’s one of the most common mental illnesses in the country. Unfortunately, less than half of those people seek or receive treatment for their disorder.
The reasons why people suffer from excessive stress can be complex. They may only have one episode of intense anxiety. Others may have other disorders that lead to an anxiety disorder. Even more people may have experienced many factors leading to constant anxiety. Some possible causes that may lead to GAD include:
Environmental Stressors. Experiencing difficulties within one’s family or at work can make you prone to GAD.
Brain Chemistry. GAD sometimes results from a misalignment of electrical signals and hormones.
Medical Factors. The effects of medication can cause a disorder to develop. Other medical factors include the presence of another disease or the stress of prolonged recovery.
Use of Illicit Substances. The abuse of drugs can intensify your chances of developing GAD. Going through withdrawals from addiction contributes to developing anxiety.
Signs You Are Suffering From Anxiety
Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder vary depending on the individual. The symptoms can make it difficult for a person to deal with social situations.
This difficulty adds to stress and overall anxiety. Several symptoms can constitute GADs. These include:
- Constantly feeling “on-edge”
- Excessive restlessness
- Difficulty paying attention
- Feeling an uncontrollable sense of worry
- Difficulties sleeping, such as issues staying or falling asleep
- Increased sense of irritability.
You’ll experience some of these symptoms in normal life. However, if you have GAD, you’ll experience these symptoms at extreme levels persistently. If you see these traits in your loved one, it’s time to get them help so they can live a happier life. Contact us today to start their treatment journey.
