Worry No More

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Has my husband been in an accident? Is my child sick? Am I safe? Everyone experiences worries like these from time to time. But if such anxieties are persistent, often striking when there’s no reason to be worried, you may be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. However, there is a light at the end of this worrisome tunnel. Short-term medication and therapy can free you from the anxiety that plagues your life.

According to National Women’s Health Resource Center (www.healthywomen.org), generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by at least six months of a constant state of tension or worry not related to any event. Symptoms that may indicate you have generalized anxiety disorder include:

• expecting the worst
• worrying excessively about money, health, family, or work, even when there are no signs of trouble
• trouble falling or staying asleep
• inability to relax
• muscle tension
• fatigue
• irritability
• trembling
• trouble concentrating
• muscle tension or headaches
• hot flashes
• edginess or restlessness

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, talk with your doctor. He or she will examine you and ask questions to make sure there isn’t something else causing these symptoms such as a medication you are on, an overactive thyroid, or depression. If these other causes of anxiety are eliminated you may need to be treated for generalized anxiety disorder.

Treatment typically includes a combination of medication and therapy. Often with generalized anxiety disorder, short-term treatment can have long-term affects. Six months to one year of treatment is common, though some cases will require longer treatment in order to prevent reoccurrence.

To learn more about generalized anxiety disorder, you can request publications from the National Institute of Mental Health by calling toll-free 1-88-88-ANXIETY (1-888-826-9438) or visiting www.nimh.nih.gov.

Sources: nimh.nih.gov, healthywomen.org, webmd.com, helpguide.org