Anxiety (cont.)
How Is GAD Diagnosed?
If symptoms of GAD are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by
asking questions about your medical history and performing a physical
examination. Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose
anxiety disorders, the doctor may use various tests to look for physical
illness as the cause of the symptoms.
The doctor bases his or her diagnosis of GAD on reports of the intensity and
duration of symptoms -- including any problems with functioning caused by the
symptoms. The doctor then determines if the symptoms and degree of dysfunction
indicate a specific anxiety disorder. GAD is diagnosed if symptoms are present
for more days than not during a period of at least six months. The symptoms
also must interfere with daily living, such as causing you to miss work or
school.
How Is GAD Treated?
If no physical illness is found, you may be referred to a psychiatrist or
psychologist, mental health professionals who are specially trained to
diagnose and treat mental illnesses like GAD. Treatment for GAD most often
includes a combination of medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
- Medication: Drugs are available to treat GAD and may be especially helpful for people whose
anxiety is interfering with daily functioning. The medications most often used
to treat GAD in the short-term are from a class of drugs called
benzodiazepines. These medications are sometimes referred to as
"tranquilizers," because they leave you feeling calm and relaxed. They
work by decreasing the physical symptoms of GAD, such as muscle tension and
restlessness. Common benzodiazepines include
Xanax, Librium,
Valium and
Ativan.
Antidepressants, such as
Paxil,
Effexor, Prozac, Lexapro, and Zoloft, are also being used to treat GAD.
These antidepressants may take a few weeks to start working but they're more
appropriate for long-term treatment of GAD.
- Cognitive-behavioral
therapy: People suffering from anxiety disorders often participate
in this type of therapy, in which you learn to recognize and change thought
patterns and behaviors that lead to anxious feelings. This type of therapy
helps limit distorted thinking by looking at worries more realistically.
In addition, relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and biofeedback,
may help to control the muscle tension that often accompanies GAD.
Next: Are there side effects of anxiety treatment? »
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