Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
In abnormal psychology there are numerous paradigms explaining what generates, maintains and relieves psychological disorders. Each paradigm guides the choice of assessments and interventions. In this essay generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) will be examined through the lens of two paradigms; cognitive and behavioural. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic long-term disorder that causes the individual to suffer symptoms that make functioning in daily life hard, by interfering with social activities, work, school and family (Montgomery, 2011). GAD is characterised by excessive and persistent worry that is not restricted to any particular event or circumstance. The individual lives with GAD in a constant state of hyper-vigilance,
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There must be at least three of the following symptoms, unrelated to drugs, substances or medical conditions, on more days than not for at least six months: "restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating or mind going blank, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbance" (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 222). GAD is the most common anxiety disorder diagnosed internationally. The American Psychiatric Association (2103), states that globally, the 12-month prevalence for GAD is between 0.4% to 3.6%, and is twice as common in women than in men. GAD diagnoses are spread widely over ages but tends to peak during middle age (45-50 years), and declines later in life. GAD tends to co-occur with other anxiety and depressive disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The average age onset of GAD is 30 years, though earlier symptoms in life may be described as an anxious temperament. Symptoms tend to be chronic over lifetime with low remission rates. There are cultural differences in the way the symptoms of GAD present, some cultures somatic symptoms such as muscle tension are prominent, while in other cultures cognitive symptoms predominate (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Typically, Europeans report GAD more often than Asian, African, Native American and Pacific Island people, and
There must be at least three of the following symptoms, unrelated to drugs, substances or medical conditions, on more days than not for at least six months: "restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating or mind going blank, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbance" (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 222). GAD is the most common anxiety disorder diagnosed internationally. The American Psychiatric Association (2103), states that globally, the 12-month prevalence for GAD is between 0.4% to 3.6%, and is twice as common in women than in men. GAD diagnoses are spread widely over ages but tends to peak during middle age (45-50 years), and declines later in life. GAD tends to co-occur with other anxiety and depressive disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The average age onset of GAD is 30 years, though earlier symptoms in life may be described as an anxious temperament. Symptoms tend to be chronic over lifetime with low remission rates. There are cultural differences in the way the symptoms of GAD present, some cultures somatic symptoms such as muscle tension are prominent, while in other cultures cognitive symptoms predominate (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Typically, Europeans report GAD more often than Asian, African, Native American and Pacific Island people, and