Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, is a psychiatric anxiety disorder that statistically has affected almost 5% of the population within one year. Though the cause is unknown, patients diagnosed with GAD commonly have one or more comorbid psychiatric disorders, or issues with alcohol abuse, major depressive disorder, or panic disorder. Women have double the likeliness of being affected by GAD in comparison to men, though typically GAD arises during childhood or adolescence. GAD is characterized by consistent and ever-present worry over activities, events, or even chores. Anxiety, in this case, is not as restricted to certain things or compulsions, as would be with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD. These worries must be present for at least six months in order for a diagnosis to be made. Diagnoses of GAD are made based on physical exam of the patient as well as a study of their medical history.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is commonly treated with antidepressants such as Prozac or other antidepressants. Though treatment has commonly proven effective, it is only after two to three weeks that an improvement in symptoms is seen in most patients. In certain cases where treatment with an antidepressant fails, a type of anti-anxiety medication known as a benzodiazepine is commonly used. Benzodiazepines are highly effective at combating the majority of anxiety disorders, but they are typically only used for a limited period of time due to the high likeliness of patient dependence on the medication. Benzodiazepines are also highly likely to be abused and many patients may experience withdrawal upon immediate discontinuation of their medication, which is why it is recommended to talk with one's physician about modifying or discontinuing any medication. One strategy, as said by the Merck Manuals Online Library, is to start off with a benzodiazepine combined with an antidepressant. This way, immediate relief is experienced by the patient; the antidepressant will take about 2 weeks to kick in, at which point the physician will discontinue the benzodiazepine. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also used in treatment, although few studies have suggested their effectiveness in proportion to the high-effectiveness of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.
