How is General Anxiety Disorder Diagnosed?

Everyone will experience anxiety at some point in their life, and people can experience anxiety for multiple reasons. Anxiety is the fear of the unknown. Anxiety can happen because of a job interview, before a school test, or a social event. However, for most people, once the event or situation is over, the anxiety is over too. 

However, there are people out there who aren't as lucky. According to one study, over 19% of the United States population has an anxiety disorder. This number is likely even higher because many people go undiagnosed. So, if you believe that you or someone you love has an anxiety disorder, you might wonder how to determine if you have it.

First, let's define anxiety and list the symptoms and causes. 

Defining Anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) has varying definitions, but all mean the same thing. The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as "an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure." 

Symptoms Of Anxiety

There are a variety of challenges that people face every day when they battle long-term anxiety. Unfortunately, it can become so bad that they begin to interfere with their daily lives. Known as the "flight-or-fight-mode," anxiety is our body's natural response to perceived dangerous situations. It is the natural response to either face the danger head-on or runs away. 

While the below is not an extensive list, here is a list of the most common mental and physical symptoms associated with GAD.

Mental Symptoms:

• Persistent worrying over everything, no matter how small it is

• Overthinking and coming up with solutions to every possible worst-case outcome

• Seeing situations or events as threatening even when they are not

• Fear of the unknown

• Indecisiveness

• Fear of making the wrong choice

• Inability to relax or feeling restless

• Difficulty concentrating

Physical Symptoms of GAD:

• Trouble sleeping/Insomnia

• Fatigue

• Muscle tension

• Sweating

• Shaking

• Feeling flushed or warm

• Digestive Issues (stomach aches, diarrhea, nausea)

• Headaches

• Irritability

• Change in appetite

Causes of Anxiety

Causes of anxiety include differences in brain chemistry or how we developed as young children. Also, genetics can play a role in the eventual development of anxiety disorders.

Diagnosing GAD

For many people, taking the first step to a diagnosis is the hardest. Why? As we read above, the fear of the unknown is the number one characteristic of people who suffer from anxiety. That means you might even feel anxious about getting a diagnosis because of the stigma surrounding mental health.

Many people believe that being diagnosed with a mental health condition is a sign of weakness or instability. Unfortunately, many people will withhold receiving help and treatment because of this.

Receiving a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder begins with going to your primary doctor. In general, your doctor will go over:

• The mental and physical symptoms you are feeling

• The medications you are taking

• The environmental factors that are affecting your anxiety (high-work stress, hectic work-life balance, etc.)

From there, your doctor will determine if they believe you have an anxiety disorder. What happens after that?

In most cases, your doctor will talk to you about treatment plans such as medication. There is a variety of FDA-approved medications that are useful in the treatment of anxiety. Your doctor may talk to you also about seeking out a mental health professional.

Combined with medication, anxiety therapy can teach you coping skills that help you deal with anxiety as it is happening. A licensed therapist will work with you to determine the underlying causes of your anxiety while the medicine works to keep anxiety symptoms at bay. With this combined treatment, over time, you will find that your anxiety is more manageable so you can live your daily life more freely.