What is GAD?
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, is a blanket term used to label a variety
of symptoms which include: being in a near constant state of restlessness, being
easily fatigued, having difficulty concentrating, being irritable, having muscle
tension, and having disturbed sleep. Importantly, those who have GAD do not
have panic attacks, phobias, or OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)
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Fear of losing control
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Fear of not being able to cope
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Fear of death, disease and sickness
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Fear of failure
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Fear of rejection and abandonment
To be considered as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, these symptoms should have been present for sometime. This type of anxiety can vary in degrees of intensity and length.
Remember “Generalized Anxiety Disorder” is a label which helps
medical professionals classify symptoms and patients. It is not necessarily
helpful to you other than to understand what they mean by it. Those with GAD
often find that the constant worrying interrupts their personal, professional
or social lives.
According to the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (by Edmund J Bourne) people who
suffer from GAD tend to have five underlying basic fears:
Some situations can draw out these fears and magnify them, such as pressure at work, a broken marriage, bereavement or a failure.
Remember: It is important to become completely aware of all of your own symptoms and to tackle them using your chosen method, with the help of your doctor or therapist.
What about treatment?The chances of successful treatment are good. Drugs and therapies can be used where appropriate and other alternative therapies and cures can be successful.
What should I do now?Check out the therapies on the right. Pay particular attention to the sections
on drugs and the section on CBT