Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 พ.ค. 2024
- In this video I’m going I look at generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). I describe what it is, look at the symptoms, causes and treatment options. Individuals with generalised anxiety disorder often engage in what we call ‘cognitive distortions’. A cognitive distortion is a type of irrational thought where you see things in a way that is much more negative than it really is. Another key feature of GAD is the intolerance of uncertainty. Uncertainty is a normal part of life but research has found that people with GAD often intolerant of uncertainty. They will often try to plan and prepare for everything as a way of avoiding or eliminating uncertainty which can include list making, reassurance seeking, double checking and avoiding people or places. Research also states there is a direct correlation between perfectionism and GAD. Perfectionism involves setting the bar exceedingly high and the need to be flawless in all that you do. But striving for perfection is likely to make you feel stressed and even disappointed with yourself when you aren’t able to meet your own impossible standards.
Other cognitive symptoms of GAD include a sense of dread, feeling constantly "on edge”, irritability, indecisiveness, inability to let go of a worry, inability to relax, and difficulty concentrating.
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🔵 GAD AND THE BRAIN
With GAD the prefrontal cortex in the brain is spending a lot of time involved in cognitive distortions such as catastrophising and these thinking patterns actually communicate to the amygdala that you’re in danger. The body then releases adrenaline and cortisol. The cortisol in particular can cause the bodily symptoms associated with GAD such as racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, shaking, digestive upsets, insomnia, fatigue and muscle pains. This process is called the fight of flight response.
🔵 POTENTIAL CAUSES OF GAD: LIFE EXPERIENCES
The exact cause of GAD is unknown but its believed to be linked to a combination of genetic, behavioural, developmental, and other factors. In the video I look at three potential causes of GAD. The first potential cause is life experiences. GAD results when the flight or fight response becomes triggered too easily and too frequently. And this can occur after experiencing traumatic life events such as abuse, trauma or bullying.
🔵 POTENTIAL CAUSES OF GAD: EPIGENETICS
A second potential cause is epigenetic. With reference to anxiety scientists have found that a percentage of people have a genetic predisposition to be anxious and that environment factors can actually switch on the anxious gene. Environmental factors and life experiences can cause genes to be expressed or silenced.
🔵 POTENTIAL CAUSES OF GAD: PERIMENOPAUSE
The third potential cause of GAD applies to women only and that’s the perimenopause. Studies show that 23% of women experience symptoms of anxiety during perimenopause and one of the primary issues here is the fluctuation of hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
🔵 TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR GAD: CBT OR MEDICATION
Research shows that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT is more effective than medication for the treatment of GAD. With your therapist you can work together to break the vicious cycle of anxiety, learn techniques to calm your amygdala, learn how to look at situations in new less frightening ways and also uncover the underlying causes of your GAD.
🔵 TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR GAD: MINDFULNESS
Research has shown that Mindfulness meditation is also very effective at reducing anxiety. MRI scans after an 8 week course of mindfulness practice shows the amygdala appears to actually shrink. Also the connection between the amygdala and the rest of the brain gets weaker.
🔵 ABOUT TERESA LEWIS
Teresa Lewis is the founder and Director of Lewis Psychology and a Senior Accredited psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Snr. Accred). Qualified in 1995, Teresa has been providing counselling and psychotherapy treatment for nearly 30 years. Teresa holds a masters degree in counselling and psychotherapy and is a qualified EMDR Practitioner having completed training accredited with EMDR Europe. Teresa is also a qualified adult educator and an accredited Mindfulness teacher As a recognised expert in her field Teresa is frequently asked to conduct editorial reviews and endorse counselling and psychotherapy books for international publishing houses.
☐ Email: teresa.lewispsy@gmail.com
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🔵 WORK WITH ME
If you'd like to work with me, or a member of the Lewis Psychology team, please click on the links below:
☐ Lewis Psychology CIC (for face to face therapy): www.lewispsy.org.uk
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I remember when I had generalized anxiety disorder. I had it for years and I wasn’t aware of how bad it was. I was on lexapro at the time. And I remember one time I was so stressed out from all the worrying. I would always be tired like all the time. Everyday felt like a new day to worry. And I remember people saying “you always have something wrong with you” or “there’s always something you’re upset about” and it was because GAD was taking over my life. A few years later I remember I just started crying to my sister cuz we were having a conversation and she was judging me about something. I can’t remember exactly what the conversation was about but anyways, I remember I just broke down and started crying and I told her “I’m so tired I can’t do this anymore” and I felt like I just wanted to give up. GAD was winning over me and I felt so drained and tired. That was when I told the doctor a few months or weeks later that I needed a medication change and he changed it to cymbalta. And in a matter of weeks my anxiety disorder had faded. I still worry yes, but not to an extreme extent. I have way better control over it now. So the moral of the story is, if you feel as though your worrying is winning over your life, talk to your doctor. It’s never too late. They can help you heal, god bless everyone 💖
How much duration had it took to cure after starting medication.i am not asking casually. i am really suffering with it. Please tell the duration
@@mehersrikanth5530 maybe about 2-3 weeks
The torment of Depression/Anxiety can cause life to be a burden and not worth living. I will be 80 this year and I have had this terrible disease for my entire life.
I’m really sorry to hear that. Depression really is awful. Sending you my warmest wishes, Teresa 🌸
Discomfort with uncertainty... I do that! Perfectionism... I do that! Omg.... All of those bullet points!
That used to happen to me all the time. Gladly I don’t have to deal with it anymore. Uncertainty is a bitch. I hated being uncertain it would raise my anxiety higher. I do say it still happens today but not to an extreme extent like before
Thank you great info
Your voice is very calming
Thank you for your lovely comment. Much appreciated.
*_Great video my friend! Stopping in from Nick Nimmin's comments section to say hi and show some support! Wish you tons of success on TH-cam! ^_^_*
Thank you for your support, greatly appreciated. Wishing you much success too.
I'm 18 now since may and for years I had anxiety and panic attacks now then not too often and trouble paying attention in school thought it was ADHD or something along those lines couldn't sleep trembled alot and had chest pains I used to smoke nicotine alot to help I one day just started having random panic attacks were I couldn't breath my arm and face would go numb and it got to the point I didn't drive anymore haven't drove in months haven't had a job in a year and never left my house alone out of fear and I would wake up constantly in the middle of the night panicking to the point I didn't sleep and I was on antidepressants at the time and I went to the doctor and they gave me paxil and I haven't had a panic attack in a month since starting it I'm still exhausted but it's getting better I drove again and I'm on the way for a job I was on the verge of giving up thinking I could never be "normal' again and get my degrees I wanted and explore the world 🌎 but I learned never give up there is always an option ❣️ also I'm nicotine free for over a year now
Thanks for sharing your story Katy. I agree, don’t give up. Wishing you well my friend.
Thank you so much for detailed info. I overthink too much and people don't understand what I want to express which leads to conflicts and again I think about that conflicts ,this loop continuos . So couple of days back got sore throat and started googling for the Symptoms like Neck pain , ear pain , below jaw bone pain, feeling something stuck in throat . Google results are astonishing which will make any one go into crazy mode. Since I overthink too much started googling all symptoms and reached to this one keyword globus sensation which lead me to this wonderful video. Thank you. Will practice meditation everyday
I wish you well Delroy. Anxiety is an awful thing, I hope you find relief.
5:20 I´d say those things would be the reason I was once diagnosed with severe GAD.
Hello. Catastrophising... I do that!
Can you have anxiety disorder and have normal levels of cortisol. I only mildly get palpations occasionaly, have trouble sleeping though. Basically im aware of my breathing all day everyday but im not hyperventilating. Can the symptoms all be mental or cognitive
I AM IN TERRIBLE TORMENT FROM GAD, THIS TERRIBLE CONDITION HAS POSSESSED ME & PLZ RECOMMEND A PILL I TAKE FOR THIS THING!
I’m sorry to hear what you are going through. Please see your GP for assistance. Wishing you well.
Hi I'm having physical symptoms of anxiety
Chest pain
Tingling sensations in feet and hands
My Dr advised me to get a vit test and I'm deficient in vit d ... Since I am taking the vit supplements my tingling has vanished and my chest pain has reduced drastically..... I was so happy
But since few days I'm shortness of breath and lump in the throat sensation....
Luckily my chest pain and tingling is reducing everyday...
Should I take meds? Will there be a relapse of the symptoms, especially physical symptoms if I stop the meds after feeling better? These two fears are scaring me and preventing me to go to the psychatrist and take meds...
Also I take counselling since 2 years as I had problems at school and at home... I recovered nicely but idk what has happened to me since 2 months
I'm sorry to hear what you are going through. I'm not qualified to provide advice regarding medication. I wish you well.
My daughter is having castrophizing and she is only 6 years old...when she walk on the street and someone looks at her she thinks he is looking to her in a bad way and he meant to insult her...i kept telling her that they don't mean to but she never listens and she don't believe it
What should i do??! I can't afford counseling fees or cbt in my country nowadays but I want to help my kid
Hello Maha. Thank you for your question. If you are based in the UK I would suggest you see your GP and ask for a referral to the NHS child counselling service which is free of charge. Wishing you well.
@@LewisPsychology thanks for your response... unfortunately I am Not based in uk.. but can i change my daughter castrophizing or could castrophizing begone and replace positive thinking instead??
Is it common the muscle tension be constant for me shoulders armpits
Muscle tension is a sign of stress but do make sure you get any symptoms checked out by a professional. Best wishes, Teresa
OH, THE TORMENT, AV STOPPED LIVING COZ GAD IS WINNING, I AM SUFFERING BEYOND WRDS FRM GAD, THE TORMENT IS TOO MCH, I GVE UP, AV LOST ALL HOPE LITERALLY, NO MEDS, NO HLP , LIVING AROUND PPL WHO DNT GET IT, ITS TOO MUCH, GAD HAS WON, I GIVE UP🙏🙏
Hello Nik, please do not give up. I suggest you see your GP and ask for a referral to a counsellor or psychologist. I do hope this helps. Wishing you well.
Meditation doesn’t help idk what to do
Thanks for your comment. I would suggest you try psychological therapy. There are lots of psychological models so I you may want to take a look at my channel and see which approach resonates with you. Best wishes, Teresa.