Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a pathological fear that has taken on a life of its own. Experts talk about anxiety having “lost its purpose or reference” People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder experience anxiety that is not based on the environment. The reason for the anxiety may be unfounded fears that something will happen to oneself, or to loved ones, fears about the future, or worries and fears about disasters or other misfortunes. In severe forms, the patient has great difficulty managing his or her daily life because anxiety takes up a large part of the attention.
Worries affect different areas:
- Family/social relations
- work
- Health
- Financial
- Everyday life
To diagnose a generalized anxiety disorder, symptoms must have been palpable for at least six months. It is advisable to consult a therapist or doctor beforehand!
The following symptoms may occur:
- Vegetative symptoms (sweating, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, dry mouth, tremors).
- Chest or abdominal symptoms (difficulty breathing, tightness, pain, nausea, or tingling in the stomach)
- Psychological symptoms (feelings of dizziness, unsteadiness and lightheadedness, derealization and depersonalization, fear of losing control, fear of dying)
- General symptoms (hot flashes or chills; numbness or tingling sensations)
- Tension symptoms (muscle tension, restlessness, inability to relax, nervousness, lumpy feeling in throat or difficulty swallowing)
- Nonspecific symptoms (increased jumpiness, difficulty concentrating or emptiness in the head, persistent irritability, difficulty falling asleep)
It is also important to rule out other disorders in Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
According to our own survey of 16 years of practice, Generalized Anxiety Disorder has a good prognosis of cure or relief. A large percentage of patients have received great relief from therapy. More than 70% are symptom-free after six months of therapy, according to surveys. However, our own survey did not take into account how many patients also took psychotropic drugs. The orthodox medicine justifies, by studies, that the use of modern psychotropic drugs, in combination with psychotherapy has the greatest probability of healing.
Conclusion: Generalized anxiety disorder is treatable. An important strategy and possible consideration of antidepressants are important. There are many patients who refuse antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs. This must be respected and I will not try to persuade you in any way in the office! As a therapist, it is important to me that they can make their own decisions based on profound information.