Generalized anxiety disorder: When to see your doctor?

I spent my childhood in fear.

I thought I was going to fail my exams and spend the rest of my life on the roads, begging for food and shelter. I obsessed that forgotten homework would end my entire school career. I lay awake at night, convinced that burglars would enter and kill us or our house would burn down.  In college, I used the same two words as a source text and thought I’d be convicted of plagiarism and kicked out of school. I always worried I’d forgotten something. That I wouldn’t finish my work on time.

I did not know then that I was suffering from generalized anxiety disorder.

I went for therapy when I was 32.

Psychology sessions with a therapist were very helpful. I was advised to supplement it with anxiety medication that helped. Therapy also taught me mindfulness. I find it easier to banish my negative thoughts. I acknowledged them and then let them go. I was also beginning to replace them with positive ones.  

My severe case of GAD is under control now.

                                                                     - Lisa, a 36-year-old sales agent

I am suffering from generalized anxiety disorder.

I often worry about a wide range of things.

My daughter is not eating properly; my dog is itching; my skin is breaking. I also worry about whether the family will like the dinner tonight, whether our summer holiday will be fun for everyone, or whether my friend will like the gift I sent her. These worries are often ongoing and interfere with my daily activities.

Ongoing anxieties make me have OCD behaviors, like frequently visiting/changing vets for my dog, checking my skin often, and buying skincare products excessively.

They affect my daily life. I am late for work, forgetting important deadlines, as my work performance has declined. My relationships with family and friends are up and down. I miss social engagements. I am angry often. I am not responsive when they need me, and I am not proactive about making plans.

The stress, worry, and anxiety are becoming tough to control.

Moreover, I have difficulty sleeping. I get tired easily. There are constant stomach problems: gastric pain, mild pain, diarrhea. I have also noticed an unusual heartbeat and dizziness at times.

I have suffered from the above for more than 6 months now.

-Pratima, a 23-year-old lawyer

Everyone experiences some degree of anxiety daily, and certain situations are notably stressful for each individual. The question arises: how much anxiety is considered excessive? Additionally, is there any effective treatment available for individuals who are excessively anxious? Accurate understanding of anxiety disorders can alleviate unwarranted fears related to the condition. This constitutes a crucial step in overcoming anxiety disorders.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common mental health condition where one feels very anxious about a lot of different things.

In GAD, there is a free-floating anxiety that does not happen in episodes or be associated with a specific situation, but lasts for days and months, running at a milder severity, related to a wide range of normal daily events, e.g., work and school performance, personal responsibilities, etc. The worry occurs most of the time and in many different situations. GAD can include prolonged worry that lasts for months over many, often minor, issues. It can affect sleep, energy, and general daily life. 

There is excessive worry/anxiety about trivia.

Anxiety can be mild, moderate, severe, or panic level, depending on how badly the symptoms are affecting you.

• Mild anxiety: Can impact your functioning; however, it does not substantially influence your daily activities.

• Moderate anxiety: It affects you more profoundly than mild anxiety, and you may frequently feel that your level of worry is uncontrollable, although not necessarily daily.

• Severe anxiety: Negatively impacts your quality of life, rendering it challenging to function appropriately. You might frequently experience physical symptoms of anxiety.

• Panic-level anxiety: The condition is characterized by symptoms such as fear, heart palpitations, and rapid breathing. This is recognized as a panic attack. Such episodes can be distressing and may significantly impact an individual's well-being.

How is generalized anxiety disorder diagnosed?

Your doctor or a mental health professional may diagnose GAD if:

• You have symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder on most days

• Your symptoms last for 6 months or more

• Your symptoms affect your activities in daily life

  
  

How is generalized anxiety disorder treated?

Effective treatments are available for generalized anxiety disorder. While they do not entirely eliminate worry, which is a natural part of life, treatment can help manage symptoms, enabling individuals to cope with worry more effectively.

The first step to treat this disorder is to get help and speak with your doctor- a GP or seek mental health care close to you. They can help you build a mental health care plan and refer you to a more specialized mental health professional, if needed.

Both pharmacological and psychological treatments are effective.

• Psychological therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness.

• Psychotropic drugs- if your symptoms are severe.

•  A combination of both.