Once you understand you or a loved one is battling anxiety, it is common to get lost in the depths of the condition. The constant worrying and panic, bodily sensations, and racing thoughts can literally consume your existence, leaving you desperately searching for answers and any possible signs of hope. If you are stuck in this stage and looking for guidance, we have got you covered.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Its grip on a person’s life can get so pervasive that it starts suffocating and intruding on all day-to-day activities. Gaining an understanding of the various aspects of GAD and getting your answers is the first step toward finding a way out of this chaos.
In this post, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about generalized anxiety disorder.
Top FAQs About Anxiety
1. What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
GAD is a mental health condition that is defined by excessive and constant worrying about different things in life. People with GAD are constantly on the lookout for the worst and are concerned about everything from money, health, relationships, work, etc.
A person is diagnosed with GAD after having symptoms for at least six months. The condition can get extremely debilitating and make life extremely difficult to function.
2. Am I the only one suffering from this disorder?
No. Generalized anxiety disorder is far more common than you think.
Get into a random elevator with a ballpark capacity. As per the statistics by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 2-3 people would have some form of anxiety disorder. In any given particular year, over 6.8 million people in the US have GAD. Women are twice more likely to have GAD than men.
3. Is there a cure for GAD?
This is one of the most common FAQs about anxiety. While GAD is a chronic and long-term condition, it can be readily managed.
Most people receiving treatment for GAD report having first worries in childhood. However, research says that the condition is usually diagnosed around the average age of 35.
However, it is essential to note that GAD does not go away on its own. Therefore it is important to seek proper professional help to ensure long-term effective treatment options.
Read more: Best Online Therapy Platforms – 6 Easy-To-Use And Affordable Sites
4. I can’t turn off my mind at night while sleeping. How do I do that?
The racing thoughts that consume your mind during the day do not magically vanish once you go to bed. So how do you slow down and calm your mind?
One of the best answers to this FAQ about anxiety comes from Dr. Kevin Gilliland, PsyD and executive director of Innovation360. Dr. Kevin says having ample time to relax before you sleep can go a long way in ensuring sound sleep. It can be exhausting for those with GAD to turn off their brain. And therefore, leaving everything 30-40 minutes before going to bed allows your brain to relax, ensuring better sleep.
5. Is GAD a genetic disorder?
As per research by Women’s Health, having family members with GAD slightly increases your risk of developing the disorder yourself. However, the occurrence of the condition depends on both genetic as well as environmental factors.
Read more: Understanding The Diathesis-Stress Model
Conclusion:
Generalized anxiety disorder affects millions of individuals around the globe. It can affect every part of an individual’s life and makes it extremely difficult to navigate through it. We hope these common FAQs about anxiety will help you find the much-needed answers and clarity on your issues.
To dive deeper into the various aspects of anxiety and broaden your understanding using our resources, click here.
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