General Anxiety Disorder - Not Uncommon in the Addiction Treatment Process

In the course of our addiction treatment, we very commonly come across a "dual diagnoses" like depression, trauma, or an anxiety disorder.  Some of these mental health challenges require a special prescription for certain types of medication (like Seroquel or Topamax) and we generally have a separate therapist work on the dual diagnosis in addition to the traditional 12-step based addiction counseling.

General Anxiety Disorder

The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health reports that roughly 6.8 million American adults are affected by GAD.  Twice as many women as men are diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder.  The onset of GAD can occur at any point in a person’s life and it has been found to affect all age groups.

For sufferers of GAD, the feeling of anxiety is often out of proportion to the current circumstances.  They are convinced that disaster will strike at any moment.  With each new day comes a new host of things to worry about.  In its most extreme form, Generalized Anxiety Disorder will disrupt sleep and daily activities, leaving a person unable to work, attend school or interact with others.  

GAD includes a wide range of physical symptoms that can vary from person to person.  Some of the most common physical symptoms include:

• shortness of breath
  
• headache
• stomach ache
• nausea
• muscle aches
  
• twitching
• trembling
• difficulty swallowing  
  

People who are diagnosed with GAD many also experience irritability, depression and a feeling of fatigue.  GAD often occurs in combination with other anxiety disorders such as phobias, sleep disorders, and anxiety-induced substance abuse.

How is GAD Diagnosed?

A mental health professional will look into the possibility of GAD when a patient has experienced severe anxiety for several months (typically about 6 consecutive months). 

In most cases, the type of worry that is leading to the patient’s anxiety is uncontrollable and relentless.  Disturbing thoughts make it impossible for the patient to relax, work or socialize in a normal way.  When these circumstances exist and common anti-anxiety treatments, such as the use of relaxation techniques, have failed then a GAD diagnosis is usually made.

Young People More Affected by Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Young people are especially vulnerable to GAD.  Because they have less life experience than adults, they may not realize that their worries and fears are irrational and excessive.  Besides worrying about friends, school, sports and family, they may also have fear and anxiety about issues related to divorce, death and other major life events.  Caregivers and other adults should be on the lookout for excessive worrying in young people and watch for symptoms that are related to GAD, including a constant need for reassurance, the feeling that they are the victims of misfortune, obsessive perfectionism, and the belief that they are at fault for events that are beyond their control.

What is the Treatment for GAD?

It is recommended that General Anxiety Disorder be treated by a professional.  Therapy is often more effective than medication in reducing the symptoms of GAD.  A therapist will help the patient recognize the signs of anxiety and provide techniques for keeping it at a manageable level. 

Lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms of GAD, including exercising regularly, adopting a healthy diet and reducing one’s intake of alcohol and caffeine.  Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, meditation and yoga can also help reduce anxiety.  

Our rehab facilities are primarily for the treatment of drug or alcohol addiction. However we do  have 25 years of experience working with a client population that occasionally require treatment for anxiety disorders.  Feel free to call our intake counselors at 866-323-5609 for a free confidential consultation about anxiety related concerns. with