Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
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Anxiety Worsens Hot Flashes
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad
Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
 Controlling
lifestyle
stress and
anxiety may help reduce the number and
severity of hot flashes associated with menopause, according to doctors at the
University of Pennsylvania.
Hot flashes are perhaps the most troublesome symptom associated with
approaching menopause and are experienced by a majority of women during the
transition to menopause.
Researchers studied over 400 Caucasian and African American women between 37
and 47 years of age who still had regular menstrual cycles. The women took tests
that measured their anxiety levels at the start of the study and again following
a six-year period. After six years, many of the women were experiencing hot
flashes and irregular menstrual periods, two signs of approaching menopause.
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Introduction to Anxiety
Generalized anxiety disorder (or GAD) is characterized
by excessive, exaggerated
anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no obvious reasons for
worry. People with
symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder tend to always expect disaster and
can't stop worrying about health, money, family, work, or school. In people
with GAD, the worry often is unrealistic or out of proportion for the
situation. Daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear, and dread.
Eventually, the anxiety so dominates the person's thinking that it interferes
with daily functioning, including work, school, social activities, and
relationships.
What Are the Symptoms of GAD?
GAD affects the way a person thinks, but the anxiety can lead to physical
symptoms, as well. Symptoms of GAD can include:
- Excessive, ongoing worry and tension
- An unrealistic view of problems
- Restlessness or a feeling of being "edgy"
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nausea
- The need to go to the bathroom frequently
- Tiredness
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Trembling
- Being easily startled
In addition, people with GAD often have other anxiety disorders (such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias), suffer from depression, and/or abuse drugs or alcohol.
What Causes GAD?
The exact cause of GAD is not fully known, but a number of factors --
including genetics, brain chemistry and environmental stresses -- appear to
contribute to its development.
-
Genetics: Some research suggests that family history plays
a part in increasing the likelihood that a person will develop GAD. This means
that the tendency to develop GAD may be passed on in families.
-
Brain chemistry: GAD has been associated with abnormal
levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are special
chemical messengers that help move information from nerve cell to nerve cell.
If the neurotransmitters are out of balance, messages cannot get through the
brain properly. This can alter the way the brain reacts in certain situations,
leading to anxiety.
-
Environmental factors: Trauma and stressful events, such
as abuse, the death of a loved one, divorce, changing jobs or schools, may lead to GAD. GAD
also may become worse during periods of stress. The use of
and withdrawal from addictive substances, including alcohol, caffeine, and
nicotine, can also worsen anxiety.
How Common Is GAD?
About 4 million adult Americans suffer from GAD during the course of a year.
It most often begins in childhood or adolescence, but can begin in adulthood.
It is more common in women than in men.
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