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Stelling 2 Generalized Anxiety Disorder Outline Thesis Sentence: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is not genetic. It is learned behavior one develops during adolescence exaggerating worry to extreme levels and creating excessive anxiousness within oneself. I. Generalized Anxiety Disorder A. Causes of Generalized Anxiety Disorder B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder happens during youth C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Happens for a variety of reasons II. People Affected by Generalized Anxiety Disorder A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder affects a variety of people B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder affects individuals and those around them III. Where to go for help A. Counseling B. Mental Health Treatment C. Medications D. Homeopathic Cures IV. Future for someone with Generalized Anxiety Disorder A. Ongoing Treatment B. Adapted ways of living Stelling 3 What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder? In a world of different types of people, mental health disorders are recognized by some but ignored by many. When an individual has a panic attack and freaks out, they risk the torment of the outside world looking at them as a freak, or different in many ways. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a problem that forces many into a deep depression, a world of which they may never overcome. These bouts are very hard to control if at all. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a mood disorder involving excessive worries that interfere with the lives of many. It is very common and affects about 2.8% of the general population every year. Interesting enough, the word anxiety comes from the Latin word anxietas, which means to choke or upset (http://www.medicinenet.com/anxiety/article.htm). The root of the word is very fitting. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Generalized Anxiety Disorder can be something that is not genetic, but bay runs in families (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml). There are no ties to the disorder being genetic, although GAD does seem to occur in family’s there are many symptoms that show resemblance of GDA. Symptoms include; (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/generalized-anxiety-disorder/DS00502/DSECTION=symptoms)  Constant worrying or obsession about small or large concerns  Restlessness and feeling keyed up or on edge  Fatigue  Difficulty concentrating or your mind "going blank"  Irritability Stelling 4  Muscle tension or muscle aches  Trembling, feeling twitchy or being easily startled  Trouble sleeping  Sweating, nausea or diarrhea  Shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat While there is no real organization to these symptoms, they all relate to one another on intricate levels. For example an individual who constantly obsesses about a small concern may feel fatigue and have trouble sleeping because their muscles are tense to the point that they are restless. In extreme cases, all of these may be in effect. The effects of GAD may begin in youth. Young children are very impressionable, they take things that adults say to them very seriously. Many Children suffer from the “What if” fears. A good example is when a child suffers in school. If they can’t understand a subject, they may worry themselves into a fluster that they have a hard time coming out of. There is also an issue that some children face, the need for constant reassurance. In many cases a child will ask if they are doing well, because they feel the constant need to hear how well they are doing. If they don’t get the reassurance they need, they become very sad. There are some additional symptoms that effect children. The atmosphere they are exposed to in much more vulnerable. These symptoms include; (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/generalized-anxiety-disorder/DS00502/DSECTION=symptoms)  Performance at school or sporting events  Being on time (punctuality)  Earthquakes, nuclear war or other catastrophic events Stelling 5  Feel overly anxious to fit in  Be a perfectionist  Lack confidence  Redo tasks because they aren't perfect the first time  Strive for approval  Require a lot of reassurance about performance In a child’s world it means everything to just fit in with their peers. Striving for approval while having a lack of confidence can really cause a problem on a child’s mental being. Reassurance is a requirement in order for them to strive. The early stages of GAD can be confused with other personality disorders such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other types of anxiety. Generalized Anxiety Disorder may develop during child hood and may worsen as an individual ages. Life becomes more complicated with work, school, marriage, and the responsibility of children. Here is a good example of a teenager struggling with GAD. (http://www.anxietybc.com/parent/generalized.php) The Story of 17-year-old Mitchell Mitchell is a 17-year-old boy. His school counselor says he used to be a good student, but over the past year his grades have dropped and he often skips classes. Mitchell is very withdrawn. He avoids friends and family, and tends to stay home alone in his room. He states he is very anxious whenever he is at school, and he worries a lot about what others think of him - whether he is wearing the right clothes, or if he will give the correct answers in class. Mitchell also worries a lot at home, especially when he watches the Stelling 6 news and hears about crime in the city. He worries about his own and his family's safety, and tries to deal with his anxiety by avoiding the news and newspapers. He also tries to avoid being around others, including his friends at school. Mitchell often has muscle cramps in his neck and shoulders, and he has difficulty paying attention in class. He also doesn't sleep well, usually just 'tossing and turning' throughout the. He worries a lot about his future - whether he will ever have a girlfriend or a job. You can see in Mitchell’s story that he has not always had this issue. Many kids his age are out having the time of their lives. Mitchell on the other hand is sitting in his room hiding from the outside world. He has constant worry about everything around him and is so worried that he avoids almost any situation. The fact of the matter is that he is not alone, many teenage kids feel the pressures of not measuring up to their peers. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is an overpowering ailment that takes over even the most balanced people at times, to the point that they feel there is no return. Sadly there are many people out there that do not seek any assistance for their anxiety issue. They fall into such a hole that they feel that there is no way out. This leads to tragic situations, which are not necessary. The situations differ; they include attempted suicide, and possibility of being hospitalized. The average length of time that GAD last is 20 years if left untreated and usually requires treatment for a person to overcome it. Usually a year of treatment is all a person needs. Looking in retrospect, Generalized Anxiety Disorder happens for a variety of reasons. It affects people of all ages and walks of life; more specifically there are groups of people who are more at risk for having Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Young Adults, who suffer from Stelling 7 depression, have a tendency to smoke cigarettes. They feel that when they smoke it helps relieve their anxieties, while in reality it only makes it worse. Females, who enter puberty at a younger age, tend to develop higher anxieties compared to their peers. General Anxiety Disorder affects individuals and those around them. Those with GAD are difficult to be around and have difficulty trusting others. In many cases the individual feels that nobody cares about them and they feel all alone. This is not the case, although they push the ones close to them away. This causes further distress on the depressed party. They may revert to the “fight or flight,” mode of communication. This stage of communication is much like a fight for life, in the mind of someone having an anxiety attack. They feel the need to talk to others in order to feel reassured about the topics on their mind. The more connected you feel the more secure any situation or relationship is. A strong support system of a few people that you can count on is vital to your well being. There are many options for treatment of GAD. Some of the therapies that individuals may try before seeking outside help include relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and muscle relaxation. Simply learning to calm down quickly can be soothing. This can be done by use of the physical senses. Things such as listening to pleasant soothing music, going for a walk and taking in beautiful scenery, even aroma therapy can be of aid. If an individual feels that self help is not enough, they may take the next step in making an appointment with their physician. After an evaluation, a general practice physician may write a referral to a mental health specialist. A mental health provider will determine the diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, through testing and psychological questionnaires. If the doctor feels that treatment is necessary, they may suggest alternatives. The two main treatments of Stelling 8 GAD are medication and psychotherapy also known as talk therapy. Talk therapy can be a very effective treatment for anxiety. Some individuals prefer to seek a more homeopathic remedy. They may choose to try supplements to relieve their anxiety. Some of these include Kava and Valerian which are relaxation herbs. Some find Vitamin B and Folic Acid to help as well. In this day and age there are more and more people are moving away from the mainstream of turning to Medical doctors. Many pharmaceutical versions of drugs have to many side effects, some are lethal. Ongoing treatment of generalized Anxiety Disorder can be as simple as making lifestyle changes. It can include things like getting plenty of exercise, eating a healthy diet, avoiding alcoholic beverages, using relaxation techniques, and making sure you are getting the right amount of sleep. It may also include having a support group of people you feel you are safe to go to and count on, when you feel that you are slipping back to your worrying ways, and start to feel overwhelmed with anxiety. Sometimes just talking it out with a trusted friend is all you need to give you a balanced objective perspective of life. Stelling 9 Bibliography Topic: Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Who it Affects and Why Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/generalized-anxiety-disorder/DS00502 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml Pub Med Health http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001915/ Coping With Anxiety By: Edmund Bourne PH.D. & Lorna Garano Anxiety BC http://www.anxietybc.com/parent/generalized.php Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) http://www.medicinenet.com/anxiety/article.htm