Anxiety Disorders

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Chronic, exaggerated worry; tension; and irritability that appear to have no cause or that are more intense than the situation warrants are possible indications of generalized anxiety disorder. Physical signs often accompany these psychological symptoms, for example:
 
  • Restlessness
  • Trouble falling or staying asleep
  • Headaches
  • Trembling
  • Twitching
  • Muscle tension
  • Unexplained sweating.
 
Formal Diagnosis for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
When someone spends at least six months excessively worrying about everyday problems, he or she is said to have generalized anxiety disorder. However, incapacitating or troublesome symptoms warranting treatment may exist for shorter periods of time.
 
Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety is among the most common, most treatable mental disorder. Effective treatments include:
 
 
Medication, most commonly anti-anxiety drugs, such as benzodiazepine and its derivatives, may also be required in some cases. Some commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications are diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam. The non-benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medication buspirone can be helpful for some individuals.
 

Panic Disorder

People with panic disorder experience white-knuckled, heart-pounding terror that strikes suddenly and without warning. Since they cannot predict when a panic attack will seize them, many people live in persistent worry that another attack could overcome them at any moment.
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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