Case Analysis: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Bryan Wood
Abnormal Psychology
Professor Powell
April 14, 2015
Bryan Wood
Mr. Powell
PSY 322
April 14, 2015
Case Analysis: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
“During a panic attack, the first thing you want to do is get out of the situation that is causing it. However, since most professors find it disrespectful to leave during class, I had to sit for an hour and half in this agonizing state…It was as if I had terminal cancer that could not be cured.” (Gregg, 2015). This account, told through the eyes of Stacy Gregg, a once anxious college student, personifies the unrelenting and paralyzing symptoms that can come along with generalized anxiety disorder (also known
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This data implies that GAD definitely has a biological factor to it, however it is also clear that onset of the disorder can be contributed to stressful life experiences, relationships, and poverty. For example, a recent Princeton study revealed that mothers in poverty have a greater risk of developing GAD (Tucker, 2012). While GAD does have biological and environmental factors and the exact cause of the disorder is unknown, it still revolves around a common factor (anxiety) and, with the proper treatment, anxiety can be managed. Before discussing treatment options for generalized anxiety disorder it is necessary to have a concrete grasp on the exact symptoms associated with the disorder as well as the courses it may take. The DSM IV categorizes GAD as an, “Excessive anxiety about a number of events or activities, occurring more days than not, for at least 6 months.” (Jess Rowney, 2015) As with Stacy, GAD can often co-occur with panic attack disorder (as well as other anxiety disorders) and includes symptoms of excessive and irrational worry (Staff, 2015). However, GAD is still a distinct disorder. For example, while panic attack disorder is typically attributed to worry about worrying, GAD is attributed to stressful life experiences. The actual severity of said stressful experience and the anxiety it warrants can seem arbitrary to the person with disorder. According to a 2011 Pfizer study, measuring anxiety
GAD is a serious mental illness that may affect all facets of one's life. However, there are treatments available for GAD. The
Applying the Sociological imagination to this issue gives us a different look at this issue. Earlier sociologists have taught us that in order to fully understand an issue we need to look at the history of the people if effects. The family history of people greatly affects who this disorder plagues and who it doesn’t. Recently studies have shown that if a person is sensitive to high levels of anxiety because of a hereditary factor they are more apt for getting this disorder. This disorder has been shown to run in families. This information could be vital for a sociologist looking for answers. Thus, if a sociologist noticed that there was a large amount of people with this disorder in the same location it could be explained by looking at the family history. Looking at a genetic link would be very important in finding out why large amounts of people had this disorder in the same general location. If after looking at the people who had this disorder all shared some genetic link it would provide a good explanation to why they had this disorder. Another explanation for the disorder is cultural circumstances. Living in American can be very stressful. Many people find that life is just too overwhelming to deal with. Having this disorder may be greatly influenced by a person’s culture. Being on time is greatly stressed in American Culture today. Most people with this disorder have been found to spend
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry about everyday things that is disproportionate to the actual source of worry. This excessive worry often interferes with daily functioning, as individuals suffering GAD typically anticipate disaster, and are overly concerned about everyday matters such as health issues, money, death, family problems, friend problems, relationship problems or work difficulties.[1] They often exhibit a variety of physical symptoms, including fatigue, fidgeting, headaches, nausea, numbness in hands and feet, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, bouts of difficulty breathing, trembling, twitching, irritability,
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry that is not limited to one subject, situation or activity (Nevid, Rathus & Greene, 2017). People with GAD are known to worry about many things in their lives; their health, their finances, their well-being and that of their children. It is a worry that can be describe as excess and one that impairs one from functioning (Nevid, Rathus & Greene, 2017).
GAD’s potentially interwoven origin marks significant challenges for diagnosis and treatment. Patients often leave the opportunity for diagnosis of GAD to the primary caregiver (Roberge et al., 2015). Primary care professionals must be able to attribute physiological symptoms to psychological conditions in many of these cases to prevent missed or misdiagnosis, as well as correctly evaluate potential psychological disorders akin to GAD. The Roberge et al. (2015) research article indicates the need for increased efforts in preparing primary care professionals to properly screen and diagnose patients with GAD.
Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorder in the United States. Between 15 - 19% of the population suffers from this disorder, which impairs the quality of life and functioning (Stuart 218). What is anxiety? Abnormal Psychology describes anxiety as “an adaptive emotion that helps us plan and prepare for a possible theat.” The text book further states, “worrying about many different aspects of life becomes chronic, excessive, and unreasonable.” This is also known as generalized anxiety disorder or GAD (Butcher 201). DSM IV-TR specifies that GAD is a worry that occurs more days then not for at least 6 months, and that it must be experienced as difficult to control (Butcher 201). 25% of those that suffer from this
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday things. People with the disorder often experience exaggerated fear and expect the worst, even when there is no apparent reason for concern. They anticipate disaster and are overly concerned about money, health, family, work, or other issues. This disorder affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, in any given year (Van der Heiden, 2011). GAD comes on gradually and can endure across the life cycle, though the risk is highest between childhood and middle age. Women are twice as likely to be affected.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a very common anxiety disorder; symptoms include nervousness, worrying and tension. The anxiety is not linked to one thing and patients can be overwhelmed by a general feeling of dread. A patient with GAD will worry about the same things as any unaffected person, for example, their health, personal relationships or work. What sets them apart is that the degree of worry or tension is higher than normal levels. The worrying can be both persistent and debilitating. Symptoms are moderate but long lasting persisting for longer than one month. Possible treatment methods for GAD include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychopharmacological Therapy, and Acceptance Based Behaviour Therapy. It will be argued that CBT is overall a better treatment for GAD and has been found to be effective and tolerable in the treatment of GAD.
Generalized anxiety disorder(GAD) is much more than the normal anxiety people experience everyday. It is a chronic condition that is chracterized by excessive worry and anxiety, even though there aren't any reasonable explanations for the cause. It is diagnosed when a person spends a least 6 months worrying excessively about numerous everyday problems.
II. (Review Main Points) We have specifically looked at the basics of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, its symptoms and effects on life, and the possibilities for treatment and help. III. (Review Specific Purpose)
Case Scenario 4 In this week’s case scenario, we’re presenting Matt’s case who is a 44-year-old, married, 3 kids and he feels stuck in his professional and life in general. He wants to take action to make a change, but he feels insecure to let his family down.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic and often disabling condition that is associated with uncontrollable worry and tension. The vicious cycle of anxiety and worry interferes with relationships, careers, and education, and often leads to depression. This disorder is much more than the normal anxiety that everyone experiences from time to time, and can be crippling in its severity. GAD is unlikely to disappear without proper treatment, and often worsens over time.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a disorder in which an individual may feel persistent, excessive, and worry about everyday things that may not even happen. Individuals with this disorder may feel worry, excessive anxiety, and have thoughts of the worst even when there is no need for concern. A person experiencing GAD may expect a disaster. They may worry about their finances, money, health, family, work, or any issue that may come to mind. This disorder may be present when a person worrying increases on more days than one for at least six months. GAD can interfere with work, school, family, and even social activities. GAD can be diagnosed in adults when they experience at least three of the symptoms. These symptoms include restlessness or feeling on the edge, fatigue, difficulty focusing or mind going blank, irritability, muscle tension, pain in back or headaches, and sleep disturbance (ADAA, n.d.).
Generalized anxiety disorder is expressing worry or having high levels of stress for an extended period of time due to something happening in one’s life. For college students, this can be due to homework, trying to make high grades, or just by trying to be more involved
According to the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (2013), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is classified as having excessive anxiety and worry occurring more often than not for at least 6 months, that is difficult to control and that impairs daily functioning. At least three symptoms must be present and include restlessness, easily fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbance.