Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Deborah A. Johnson June 20, 2013 PSY110 Tues-Thurs PsychoPathology Paper
Generalized anxiety disorder also known as (GAD) is a mood disorder that is the body's natural response to danger, an automatic alarm that goes off when someone feels threatened, under pressure, or facing a stressful situation. (GAD) is a common disorder affecting millions of people and often under diagnosed. …show more content…
If one of these professionals suspects that a person has GAD, they will conduct an extensive medical interview and physical examination. An examination is conducted through a series of questions from a standardized questionnaire or self-test to help assess the risk of anxiety. Anxiety may be associated with a number of other medical conditions or can be a side effect of various medications. Routine laboratory tests are often performed during the initial evaluation to rule out other causes of symptoms. On occasion, an X-ray, scan, or other imaging study may be needed.
GAD, has been distinguished from other anxiety disorders since 1980. Characterized as excessive worry for at least six months, GAD has been diagnosed in more and more people during the last 30 years. In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association changed its classifications and separated anxiety neurosis into GAD, a chronic anxiety that is sustained for a long period of time, and panic disorder, intense anxiety presenting itself in spontaneous episodes. Although Sigmund Freud observed "free-floating anxiety" in the general public in the early 1900s, there is limited information …show more content…
Although anxiety is mainly found in the age ranges of pubescent teens to the age of 44. There seem to be gender differences in the expression of anxiety. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is more likely to be found in male children and female teens. They are less likely to recognize their thoughts and behaviors as irrational. Disorders tend to occur with OCD and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) in prepubescent teens. Developed in early childhood many children tend to express themselves with anxiety by complaining of stomach or headaches. They are more likely to seek attention by being clingy, crying or having tantrums. Adolescents usually exhibit anxiety by becoming irritable or angry. Men experience anxiety by exhibiting more psychological symptoms like tension, irritability and impending doom. Where as women tend to display physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, palpitations which lead to becoming at risk for heart problems.
Some of these symptoms include but are not limited to feelings of restlessness or irritability, feeling as the mind is going blank, becoming tired easy, trouble concentrating, muscle tension, or sleeping
Generalized anxiety disorder also known as (GAD) is a mood disorder that is the body's natural response to danger, an automatic alarm that goes off when someone feels threatened, under pressure, or facing a stressful situation. (GAD) is a common disorder affecting millions of people and often under diagnosed. …show more content…
If one of these professionals suspects that a person has GAD, they will conduct an extensive medical interview and physical examination. An examination is conducted through a series of questions from a standardized questionnaire or self-test to help assess the risk of anxiety. Anxiety may be associated with a number of other medical conditions or can be a side effect of various medications. Routine laboratory tests are often performed during the initial evaluation to rule out other causes of symptoms. On occasion, an X-ray, scan, or other imaging study may be needed.
GAD, has been distinguished from other anxiety disorders since 1980. Characterized as excessive worry for at least six months, GAD has been diagnosed in more and more people during the last 30 years. In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association changed its classifications and separated anxiety neurosis into GAD, a chronic anxiety that is sustained for a long period of time, and panic disorder, intense anxiety presenting itself in spontaneous episodes. Although Sigmund Freud observed "free-floating anxiety" in the general public in the early 1900s, there is limited information …show more content…
Although anxiety is mainly found in the age ranges of pubescent teens to the age of 44. There seem to be gender differences in the expression of anxiety. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is more likely to be found in male children and female teens. They are less likely to recognize their thoughts and behaviors as irrational. Disorders tend to occur with OCD and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) in prepubescent teens. Developed in early childhood many children tend to express themselves with anxiety by complaining of stomach or headaches. They are more likely to seek attention by being clingy, crying or having tantrums. Adolescents usually exhibit anxiety by becoming irritable or angry. Men experience anxiety by exhibiting more psychological symptoms like tension, irritability and impending doom. Where as women tend to display physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, palpitations which lead to becoming at risk for heart problems.
Some of these symptoms include but are not limited to feelings of restlessness or irritability, feeling as the mind is going blank, becoming tired easy, trouble concentrating, muscle tension, or sleeping