Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive and behavioral components. The root meaning of the word anxiety is ‘to vex or trouble’; in either presence or absence of psychological stress, anxiety can create feelings of fear, worry, uneasiness and dread.
Anxiety is considered to be a normal reaction to a stressor. In fact, anxiety may help someone to deal with a difficult situation by prompting them to cope with it, but when anxiety becomes excessive, it may fall under the classification of an anxiety disorder; most commonly, generalized anxiety disorder.
Generalized anxiety disorder information
Here are some quick facts about generalized anxiety disorder:
- It is commonly know as GAD
- It is both a psychological and physical ailment
- It affects approximately 6.8 million adults in the United States every year
- More than three percent of the U.S. population suffers from anxiety
- Women are twice as likely to be affected as men
The exact cause of GAD is unknown, but evidence has shown that life experiences, particularly stressful ones, and biological factors are two main sources of anxiety in most people.
Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms and treatment
Although symptoms vary from person to person, there are some generalized commonalities, such as unrealistic, persistent and excessive worry about everyday things.
This can make getting through everyday situations seem like an insurmountable task for people suffering from GAD. In some cases, it may prevent them from being able to carry out a normal life.
Suffers of GAD may experience flare ups at times of high stress. These flare ups are frequently accompanied by physiological symptoms such as headache, sweating, muscle spasms, palpitations and hypertension, which in some cases lead to fatigue or even exhaustion.
Prescription drugs are available to help treat anxiety, however traditional medical attention is not the only solution for people experiencing symptoms of anxiety. Alternative, natural remedies for anxiety are widely accepted and have been shown to significantly reduce the effects of anxiety in most types of people. Some natural remedies for treating anxiety include massage therapy; meditation; dance, music or art therapy; homeopathic medicine; and dietary supplements or herbal products.
For more information on using natural remedies for anxiety, visit the links below.
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