Tina Huynh

Marci Campbell

Psychology 1010

June 29, 2017

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Introduction

We all suffer from occasional anxiety a few times in our life. Most of the

time being worried about things like money, health, jobs, or other personal

relationship problems with our family and friends. But there are people who suffer

from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) who experience anxiety in an excessive

matter, and often worry about little things for no reason at all. Often times simple

things like getting through their day produces anxiety for them. This paper is

written to analyze the information on this disorder and to help us further

understand how common GAD is in our society today.

Literature Review

Research shows that approximately 6% of people in the United States suffer

from GAD at some time in their lives (Kessler, Berglund, 2005 p. 597) , with

women experiencing a higher rate of 8% than men of 5% (Kessler, 2015 p. 597) .

GAD is characterized with persistent and excessive worry about countless number
of things. Individuals that suffer from GAD usually have a hard time controlling

their worries and will expect the worst even for no apparent reason at all.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, GAD is

diagnosed in adults when they experience at least three of the symptoms on more

days than not for at least six months; only one symptom is required in children. A

few examples of these symptoms are: irritability, feeling easily fatigued,

restlessness or feeling on edge, difficulty in concentrating or mind going blank,

muscle tension, sleep disturbances with difficulty staying or falling asleep, and

unsatisfying sleep (DSM-5). These symptoms can possibly occur almost every day

and sometimes even occur all day. Those suffering from Generalized Anxiety

Disorder can often find their symptoms being worse or better at different times.

They are often worse during times of stress and vulnerability, such as during

exams, physical illness, or during a conflict with someone important in their life.

These symptoms can even make it hard for them to function and can interfere with

daily life (Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2010-2016).

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), GAD is

treated through psychotherapy or medication, and often times with both. A

specific type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy is especially

used to treat those with GAD. This therapy teaches the person to think differently,

behave differently, and react differently to situations that help the individual feel
less anxious and worried. Medications such as Selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitors, Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, other serotonergic

medication, and Benzodiazepines are said to be effective when treating GAD.

These medications may take several weeks to be effective but can also cause side

effects such as nausea and headaches (National Institute of Mental Health, 2016).

Application

I personally suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder and have been for the

past few years. I know firsthand how it feels like to constantly worry all the time

about things that I feel like I have no control over or even the things that I know

isnt a big deal. I feel anxiety almost every day of my life with simple tasks such as

what I need to get done for the day or how much time do I have left to finish

everything by the end of the day. It took me awhile to realize I had GAD, although

I did know that my mother was suffering from this disorder as well as depression. I

hit a stage in my life where I really felt like I needed to seek help for all the stress,

anxiety, and sadness I was constantly feeling. I went to therapy and often met up

with my counselor to speak about my problems. I was told that I had been

suffering from depression and GAD for a few years already but I didnt realize it.

The root to my disorder was eventually narrowed down to my childhood and the

things that I had experienced as a child.

 Growing up all I could remember was my parents fighting day in and day

out. My father is an alcoholic and even till this day, we still go through this

problem as a family. I believe this is the reason why my mother developed

depression and GAD. It is also the reason why I have it as well. I became so

worried about them and mentally involved in their problems that I started to

neglect my own life. I became less social, less confident, and most times had a

hard time concentrating on anything. Eventually after seeking for help I was able

to face my problems head on and figured out ways to lessen my anxiety. I decided

to choose what I wanted to be worried about and what I shouldnt worry about.

Conclusion

I chose this topic because it is something that I can personally relate to. Like

myself, I am sure there are other people who do not realize they are suffering from

a disorder. And even if they find out, often time people feel ashamed to seek for

help. I hope other people that are going through GAD seek for the help and support

they need because it is not something to feel embarrassed or ashamed about. I was

able to experience for myself what it meant to take care of my own well-being

before I put others first. I hope that those with GAD realize that just because they

are a little bit different than everybody else, and worry a little bit more than

everybody else doesnt make them less special than anyone else.
 I believe that by learning more about my own disorder and by helping

educate others about GAD would help me understand more ways to heal myself as

well as those around me.

 References

Schacter, D. L., Gilbert, D. T., Wegner, D. M., & Nock, M. (2015). Introducing

psychology. New York, NY: Worth .

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). (n.d.). Retrieved June 29, 2017, from

https://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder-

gad

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control. (n.d.). Retrieved

June 29, 2017, from

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-

disorder-gad/index.shtml