Generalized anxiety disorder

Full Answer Section

Risk Factors:

• Family history: Having a close family member with GAD increases your risk.
• Personality traits: People who are perfectionistic, easily stressed, or neuroticism are more likely to develop GAD.
• Childhood experiences: Having experienced physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or other traumatic events can increase your risk.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as chronic pain or thyroid disorders, can increase your risk.
• Substance abuse: Using alcohol or drugs to cope with anxiety can worsen GAD symptoms and make it harder to treat.

2. Signs & Symptoms & Complications:

Signs & Symptoms:

• Excessive worry: Constant and uncontrollable worry about multiple things, even in the absence of real threats.
• Physical symptoms: Restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, stomachaches, difficulty sleeping, irritability.
• Cognitive symptoms: Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, feeling on edge.
• Behavioral symptoms: Difficulty relaxing, avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, substance abuse.

Impact on Body Systems:

• Cardiovascular system: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of heart problems.
• Musculoskeletal system: Muscle tension, pain, headaches.
• Digestive system: Stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea.
• Sleep system: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping soundly.
• Immune system: Weakened immune function, increased risk of infections.

Complications:

• Depression: GAD and depression often co-occur, making it harder to manage either condition.
• Substance abuse: People with GAD may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with anxiety, leading to addiction.
• Social problems: GAD can interfere with relationships, work, and school.
• Medical problems: The physical symptoms of GAD can increase the risk of other health problems.

3. Differential Diagnoses:

• Major Depressive Disorder: Both involve low mood, but GAD focuses on excessive worry, while depression focuses on feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness.
• Panic Disorder: Both involve sudden attacks of fear and physical symptoms, but panic attacks are more intense and shorter-lived than GAD symptoms.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Both involve intrusive thoughts and behaviors, but OCD thoughts are more specific and repetitive, and the behaviors are driven by compulsions, while GAD worry is more diffuse and not linked to specific actions.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Both involve anxiety symptoms, but PTSD is triggered by a specific traumatic event and often includes flashbacks and nightmares.

Sample Answer

Mind Map Template: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Central Topic: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

1. Pathophysiology & Risk Factors:

Causes:

• Brain abnormalities: Studies have shown altered activity in certain brain regions responsible for emotion regulation and worry in people with GAD.
• Neurotransmitters: Imbalances in serotonin, GABA, and glutamate, which are involved in mood and anxiety regulation, may play a role.
• Genetics: GAD can run in families, suggesting a genetic component.
• Environmental factors: Stressful life events, chronic medical conditions, and substance abuse can trigger or worsen GAD.