1 What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder ? By: Tiffany Groover Anxiety is something anyone can experience and may not even know exactly what is going on. It can be just a small thing, such as being anxious about meeting someone or the first day at a new job. One can experience anxiety walking into a job interview. It is a normal part of 2 everyday life. Some people have it worse than others. There are different types of anxiety but I will focus more on generalized anxiety disorders. This is chronic worry over something and is often treated by medications and or therapy. The medical term for this is generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 18% of adult Americans can be affected in a year (Introduction to sociology 2e 2017). Generalized anxiety disorder is worrying persistently and the worry is excessive compared to the threat that is involved (Healey, J.). This is the most common anxiety disorder (Simpson, H. B.). Normal everyday people experience anxiety. A person with generalized anxiety disorder will worry about any situation from their job, financial situation, or children without a specific reason for being so worried (Healey, J.). They would worry more than the average person would. This worry could interfere with the day to day life they lead. Some days they may not even want to get out of bed. New parents experience anxiety and there is nothing wrong with that at all. They worry they wouldn’t know what to do or they would mess up. A person with generalized anxiety disorder may constantly worry about their child’s well-being and if they are breathing, even if the child was perfectly healthy and was within eyesight at all times. Studies have shown anxiety rates are roughly doubled in women than in men (Simpson, H. B.). The onset of anxiety can differ but its symptoms typically develop in adolescence and young adults (Simpson, H. B.). Children as young as preschool age could show signs of anxiety. Generalized anxiety disorder normally develops in someone’s early thirties (Simpson, H. B.). In the United States, generalized anxiety disorder is somewhat less prevalent in Hispanics and 3 Asian Americans than non-Hispanics (Simpson, H. B.). No matter what studies show, any person could develop GAD. There are many causes that lead to GAD such as a difference in brain chemistry, genetics, differences in the way threats are perceived, and development and personality (Generalized anxiety disorder 2017). GAD can run in families like many mental disorders. A timid or shy person is more likely to experience generalized anxiety disorder (Generalized anxiety disorder 2017). Timid, shy people don’t react to things the way others would. They aren’t as vocal about things. GAD can also affect other parts of the body, not just mental health. A person with a diagnosis of GAD could likely experience insomnia due to their excessive worry. GAD can even cause digestive issues (Generalized anxiety disorder 2017). It is important to get the proper help needed for treatment. Insomnia or any other health issues related to GAD could be detrimental to the person suffering. GAD can be associated with other mental illnesses including depression and suicide (Generalized anxiety disorder 2017). This illness can’t be predicted. A person can keep a journal to keep track of their life to help medical professionals identify what is causing the issues (Generalized anxiety disorder 2017). To reduce anxiety, a person can carefully manage their day to day activity and manage time and energy. Alcohol and drug use as well as caffeine can worsen anxiety (Generalized anxiety disorder 2017). It is best to avoid triggers for anxiety. Physical activity is a good way to help with anxiety. It reduces stress and stress can lead to anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a treatment for GAD. The most common type of psychotherapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (Generalized anxiety disorder 2017). It is generally used short term and focuses on teaching specific skills to manage worry (Generalized 4 anxiety disorder 2017). Medications such as antidepressants are also used to treat GAD. Antidepressants can be used to treat anxiety as well as depression. At times, both mental disorders go hand in hand. Buspirone and benzodiazepines are also used as treatment options (Generalized anxiety disorder 2017). Benzodiazepines are sedatives and can be habit forming so they would not be considered a good treatment option if the person has a history of drug or alcohol abuse (Generalized anxiety disorder 2017). Sociological imagination is the use of thought to understand the connections between forces of society and personal lives (Bell). It can give insight on why people do what they do. That is why this theory fits with generalized anxiety disorder. Therapists and doctors need to know what is going on in order to know the correct treatment plan. A person who grew up with an abusive household could be triggered by yelling. That is something the doctor could use to help determine a treatment plan. Generalized anxiety disorder can be somewhat difficult for someone to live with. It affects how one lives and how they react to certain situations. Of course there are treatments for GAD, but people react differently to treatments than others. What may work for someone may not work for another. It is also about developing the proper treatment plan. In order to do that, the doctor needs to know what is likely causing the anxiety. The doctors need to know why a person reacts to something the way they do. Generalized anxiety disorder may be difficult but with the proper treatment it is manageable. A person can live a normal life with GAD. They can keep symptoms controlled. 5 References Bell, K. (n.d.). Sociological imagination definition Retrieved April 02, 2021, from https://sociologydictionary.org/sociological-imagination/#definition_of_sociological_ima gination Generalized anxiety disorder. (2017, October 13). Retrieved April 02, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/symptomscauses/syc-20360803 Griffiths, H., Keirns, N. J., Strayer, E., Cody-Rydzewski, S., Scaramuzzo, G., Sadler, T., Jones, F. (2017). Introduction to sociology 2e. In Introduction to sociology 2e (p. 438). Houston, TX: OpenStax College, Rice University. Healey, J. (2014). Understanding Anxiety. Spinney Press. Simpson, H. B. (2010). Anxiety Disorders : Theory, Research and Clinical Perspectives. Cambridge University Press.
