Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the common anxiety disorders. There is relief for sufferers. Anxiety disorders are the term covering several different forms of abnormal, pathological anxiety, fear, phobia and nervous condition, which may come on all of a sudden or gradually, over a period of several years and may impair or prevent the pursuing of normal daily routines.

The essential characteristic of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is excessive uncontrollable worry about everyday things. This constant worry affects daily functioning and can cause physical symptoms. GAD is usually difficult to diagnose for it lacks some of the dramatic symptoms, like unprovoked panic attacks, that are seen with other anxiety disorders. To be able to diagnose Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms must be present more days than not for at least 6 months.

The diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder symptoms are:

Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehension), occurring more days than not for a period of at least 6 months, about numerous events or activities.

The person with GAD finds it hard to control the worry.
The anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of the following six symptoms, with at least some symptoms are present for more than 6 months in most days than not (at least one is required for children):

restlessness or feeling tense or on the edge;
easily fatigued;
difficulty concentrating or mind going blank;
irritability;
muscle tension and muscle aches;
difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless;
unsatisfying sleep;
difficulty swallowing;
trembling, sweating;
nausea, light-headedness;
feeling out of breath

The focus of anxiety and worry is not limited to, or the anxiety or worry is not about having a panic attack, being embarrassed in the public, being contaminated, gaining weight, having multiple physical complaints, or having a serious illness, and the anxiety, and worry do not occur exclusively during post traumatic disorder.

The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of everyday activities.

The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effect of substance, such as alcohol and drug abuse, or medical condition, and does not occur exclusively during a mood disorder, a psychotic disorder, or a pervasive developmental disorder.

When the anxiety level of people with GAD is mild, they can still function socially and keep a job. Even if they don’t avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder, they may have difficulty doing the simplest daily activities if there anxiety is severe. The disorder comes on gradually and can begin at any age, but the risk is highest between childhood and middle age.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is commonly treated with medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy. Several drugs are used to treat anxiety disorders and these include: benzodiazepines and antidepressants, and Quetiapine.

Karin Manning
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/the-truth-behind-generalized-anxiety-disorder-symptoms-treatment-options-103898.html

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Ignoring panic attack treatment can be detrimental in a number of ways however, performing self treatment without proper medical advice is folly to say the least. If you suffer regular attacks then you know how socially debillitating the condition can be but be aware that there is help available.

Having had two successive panic attacks within a short space of time during a stage of my life when turmoil was the rule rather than the exception I took some well worn advice and visited my health physician for an assessment. Thankfully, my episodes were isolated to current circumstances and with the application of some relaxation techniques, panic attack hasn’t been a factor in my life. But it got me thinking. What about those individuals who are completely oblivious to the number of treatments available?

Panic Attack Treatment Options

So what are the options. Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises are a good starting point. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is used successfully in many panic/anxiety related disorders. In many cases, patients thoughts can prove destructive in a fashion that leads to an episode and learning how to keep these thoughts in check are associated with this type of treatment. How a patient reacts to these thoughts in a positive way, replacing negative thoughts is the basis of Cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, the process can be a long drawn out one and will require committment but the results are well worth the effort.

Taking it a step further, the use of medication in conjunction with CBT can prove extremely effective. Under proper medical supervision, medication has proven to be beneficial in a high percentage of instances. The problem with many panic attack sufferers lies in the aura associated with what is perceived as receiving treatment for mental health and is a strong reason why many either delay or completely ignore the treatment that is available to them.

Making Your Move

The initial step is vital. Remember the old saying that the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Well, seeking professional treatment for panic attack shouldn’t be scary. The initial process will involve assessing the level of symptoms being experienced along with areas of your life which may be contributing to episodes. These could be relationship issues, work issues, family problems, personality traits and even on a more personal nature, things such as substance abuse.

Dependent on the level of symptoms being experienced, a plan of action will then be outlined. It may be that just a minor adjustment is required and this could simply involve setting some short term goals. In more chronic cases, then a longer working partnership will be required between you and your doctor.

The bottomline is panic attack treatment is not an ordeal. Your quality of life is important isn’t it? Taking that initial step may be just a matter of picking up the phone and making a call.

Dean Caporella
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/how-panic-attack-treatment-can-lift-the-dark-clouds-hovering-over-your-life-82595.html

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Panic attacks are intense feelings of fear and anxiety that can come on suddenly. They can be associated with one or more physical symptoms, including rapid heart beat, shaking, rapid breathing (shallow breathing), tingling sensations in the arms or face (pins and needles), and feeling dizzy or light-headed, like the world is “closing in on you.”

Many people fear that they will pass out or die during a panic attack, but the attacks are not physically harmful and often fade away within 10-30 minutes.

But even though panic attacks are not considered physically harmful, they are certainly emotionally harmful, often causing a fragile state of mind, wherein the sufferer obsesses over the possibility of another attack occurring. Unfortunately, this obsessive “loop” often leads to more panic attacks, producing a “cycle of panic and anxiety” that can be difficult to break.

There is also much evidence to suggest that the elevated stress levels associated with panic attacks weaken the immune system; so learning to deal with them effectively is in fact a health issue, not just an emotional health issue.

Medication is sometimes used to “cover up” symptoms of panic attacks, but in my experience, there are only two proven methods of stopping them: breathing exercises and cognitive stress reduction techniques (thinking yourself out of a panic attack). A combination of these two often produces the best results.

You can find a lot of information about breathing exercises online, but a good basic technique is to sit quietly and concentrate on slowing your breathing, making sure that you exhale longer than you inhale. This reduces slightly the amount of oxygen you are taking in, and has a calming effect that is noticeable within minutes.

We normally think of more oxygen to our system is good thing, but too much oxygen can lead to hyperventilation, which is known to produce an anxiety. You’ve probably seen the old “breathe into a paper bag” technique. This operates on the same principle: reduce the oxygen intake (slightly) to calm the central nervous system.

Cognitive stress reduction techniques are also effective and can be used in conjunction with breathing exercises to reduce anxiety and panic symptoms. Taking the time to learn a few of these techniques can improve your ability to deal with stress and anxiety and even stop panic attacks from occurring in some cases.

An easy but effective technique is one I call “Questions and Answers.” To begin, be seated comfortably with your eyes closed, and begin mentally asking yourself the following questions:

What does it feel like to be calm and relaxed?

How would it feel right now if I were at peace with myself and the world?

How would it feel to be ________ right now? (Fill in the blank with the name of someone calm, relaxed and in control. It could be a friend, a celebrity or anyone who represents these qualities to you)

Ask the above questions calmly and slowly to yourself, pausing between each question to consider the answer. You can repeat these questions to yourself many times–just remember to ask the questions slowly and pause each time to consider the answer.

Using a cognitive technique like “Questions and Answers,” combined with simple breathing exercises is one of the most effective ways of stopping panic attacks, and preventing them in the future. The more you practice these exercises, the better you will get at it, and the less panic attacks will be a part of your life.

Jon Mercer
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/what-are-panic-attacks-how-do-i-stop-them-113575.html

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How to cure anxiety attacks and panic attacks with a simple method of self treatment called “Self Therapy for Anxiety”.

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A look at what causes anxiety, panic attacks and fear with HealthyPlace.com Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft.

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