It is quite natural thing for someone to worry about stressful events and we all do it. However, there are some people who feel anxious and tense day in and day out and at times they do not even have anything in particular to worry about. If this condition lasts for more than six months or longer than it can be categorized as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This is an infliction that affects approximately seven million Americans. There are many people who have this condition but they are not aware of it. . There are instances where anxiety becomes so severe that it can cause panic attacks and disrupt daily activities. People with GAD may at times even have problems with their day to day tasks because they are constantly worrying. GAD develops gradually and it usually starts during teen years or young adulthood. The symptoms generally fluctuate with time but can become worse during stressful times.
Basically there are two types of generalized anxiety disorder treatment: medication and psychotherapy. In terms of medication some of the popular drugs are Cymbalta, Lexapro, Paxil and Effexor. It may take four to six weeks for the medication to take effect but you should always consult your doctor before taking medication. Psychotherapy for Anxiety is psychological counseling that entails working with a therapist to reduce anxiety symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a very effective tool to counter anxiety disorders.
People who have lived through a terrifying ordeal like rape, war, abuse or natural disaster can develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms of this condition include flashbacks of the horrible experience and a loss of interest in regular activities. People with PTSD can have trouble developing personal relations and can even become violent. PTSD Treatment, like that of GAD, includes medication and counseling.
There are some people who have an irrational fear of a situation and activity. Generally phobias are not reported but it is thought that they affect about twenty eight percent of the people in the western world. A common method of diagnosing phobias is through its symptoms. The general signs of phobias often include panic attacks that include feelings of panic, dread or terror despite recognizing the fact that the feelings are excessive and irrational. Phobia can be treated with the help of therapy and medicine.