Anxiety Disorder

What is ANXIETY DISORDER? saya terpanggil utk share masalah ni bkn sbb nak aibkan org lain tapi sbb sesuatu yg baru saya tahu dan terjadi dlm keluarga terdekat saya. Ketika mula2 beliau menceritakan masalah ANXIETY beliau kepada saya, saya masih tak faham, apa bende penyakit ni? teruk sangat ke smpi kene masuk hospital? susah ke nak jaga pesakit anxiety nie? dan mungkin Allah nak bagi saya faham dgn cara yg lebih senang iaitu dgn menjaga salah satu keluarga terdekat saya yg menderita anxiety dan yg lebih teruk lagi beliau mengandung. tiada ubat yg boleh diambil takut kandungannya terjejas. Keadaan beliau bertambah teruk bila beliau cuba mendalami agama Islam dgn cara membaca buku2 ilmiah dan bukan dgn berguru. Saya hanya mampu terdiam bila beliau agak terpesong dari apa yg saya pernah belajar dan apa yg selalu diamalkan. Saya berdoa agar beliau cepat sembuh kerana beliau seperti tidak sedar apa yg beliau katakan ketika ini kerana ANXIETY DISORDER itu. Okeh! saya tau saya agak skema disini.. tapi just nak share ape yg baru di alami dan mungkin berguna utk masa depan. Skang nak tido sbb she woke me up at 4.30am just want to have a chitchat with me! kesian kat die dan family. No matter what, they always have my support and LOVE. Luangkan masa sikit baca pasal ANXIETY ni ye. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

What is ANXIETY DISORDER?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a pattern of frequent, constant worry and anxiety over many different activities and events.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common condition. Genes may play a role. Stressful life situations or learned behavior may also contribute to the development of GAD.

The disorder may start at any time in life, including childhood. Most people with the disorder report that they have been anxious for as long as they can remember. GAD occurs somewhat more often in women than in men

Symptoms

The main symptom is the almost constant presence of worry or tension, even when there is little or no cause. Worries seem to float from one problem to another, such as family or relationship problems, work issues, money, health, and other problems.

Other symptoms include:

• Difficulty concentrating

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• Problems falling or staying asleep, and sleep that is often restless and unsatisfying

• Restlessness or feeling keyed up or "on the edge," often becoming startled very easily

Along with the worries and anxieties, a number of physical symptoms may also be present, including muscle tension (shakiness, headaches).

Depression and substance abuse may occur with an anxiety disorder.

Signs and tests

A physical examination and psychological evaluation can rule out other causes of anxiety. The health care provider should rule out physical disorders that may mimic anxiety, as well as symptoms caused by drugs. This process may include different tests.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to help you function well during day-to-day life. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications are the mainstays of treatment.

Medications are an important part of treatment. Once you start them, do not suddenly stop without talking with your health care provider. Medications that may be used include:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are usually the first choice in medications. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another choice.

• Other antidepressants and some antiseizure drugs may be used for severe cases.

• Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and lorazepam (Ativan) may be used if antidepressants don't help enough with symptoms. Long-term dependence on these drugs is a concern. Short-term memory problems may also develop with long-term use.

• A medication called buspirone may also be used.

Cognitive-behavioral therapies should be used together with drug therapy. Ten to 20 visits with a mental health professional should take place over a number of weeks. Common parts of this therapy include:

• Gaining an understanding of, and control over distorted views of life stressors, such as other people's behavior or life events.

• Learning to recognize and replace panic-causing thoughts, decreasing the sense of helplessness.

• Learning stress management and relaxation techniques to help when symptoms occur.

• Learning not to quickly think that minor worries will develop into very bad problems.

Avoiding caffeine, illicit drugs, and even some cold medicines may also help reduce symptoms.

A healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, enough rest, and good nutrition can help reduce the impact of anxiety.

Support Groups

Support groups may be helpful for some patients with GAD. Patients have the opportunity to learn that they are not unique in experiencing excessive worry and anxiety.

Support groups are not a substitute for effective treatment, but can be a helpful addition to it.