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About Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by chronic, excessive, unrealistic worrying about imagined impending disasters. Individuals with GAD are often anticipating the worst about anything and everything. Typical topics of worry include their own or their family’s health and safety, money, social interactions, or work.
Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder usually know that their worrying is unrealistic or excessive to the situation, but can’t seem to stop it. They experience physical symptoms such as feeling keyed up, muscle tension (tight chest, knots in the stomach, stiff neck, tight shoulders, etc.), trembling, headaches or irritability. The nervousness may result in lightheaded, out of breath, or nausea sensations. Individuals with GAD often startle more easily than others do. They may have a hard time relaxing or sleeping. They tend to feel fatigued and have trouble concentrating and remembering. For a mental health professional to diagnose GAD, an individual would have spent at least six months worrying excessively about a number of everyday problems.
Although the worrying causes distress, people with mild GAD experience minimal impairment at home, in social settings, or at work. In severe cases, GAD can be emotionally painful and debilitating, interfering with daily activities and relationships.
Often, people with GAD also suffer from depression.
GAD comes on gradually and usually is first seen in childhood or adolescence. However, it can begin in adulthood. More women have GAD than men.
Unlike many other anxiety disorders, people with GAD don't characteristically avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques are highly effective treatment techniques. In some cases, medication is also indicated. |
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Contact Dr. Barton: |
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Geraldine T. Barton, Ph.D. Phone: 845-338-3250 159 Green Street Email: drgmbarton@drgmbarton.com Kingston, NY 12401 |
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All information on this web site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological or psychiatric advice or treatment for specific conditions. You should seek prompt care for any specific medical or mental health issues. |
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Clinical Psychologist |
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Geraldine Merola Barton, Ph.D. |