StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Generalized anxiety disorder - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
This theory explains that individuals from families whose members have ever developed the disorder have a high likelihood of developing the disorder. The brain chemistry…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.9% of users find it useful
Generalized anxiety disorder
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Generalized anxiety disorder"

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder Theories of aetiology The concept of generalized anxiety disorder as inherited disorder is one of the theories of its etiology. This theory explains that individuals from families whose members have ever developed the disorder have a high likelihood of developing the disorder. The brain chemistry theory explains that generalized anxiety disorder is caused by an unbalance in neurotransmitters. A psychological theory explains that generalized anxiety disorder is a natural response of the body to certain environmental stressors.

Isolation is another potential cause of generalized anxiety disorder because it denies individuals avenues through which they can vent out their feelings (Hoge et. al., 2004). Factors associated with generalized anxiety disorder Life events are one of the factors associated with generalized anxiety disorder. A life event such as the loss of a loved one can traumatize an individual precipitating generalized anxiety disorder. It is suspected that there could be a gene that plays a role in the development of generalized anxiety disorder.

Childhood trauma that could have because of loss or abuse is associated with the disorder. Intake of addictive substances including caffeine, alcohol and other drugs is a lifestyle that has a connection with generalized anxiety disorder. This is especially so when users of these addictives try to stop using them and withdrawal symptoms bring them intensified anxiety (Sokolowska & Hovatta, 2013). Pathology of generalized anxiety disorder Together with other anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety disorder increases the risk of disability especially when coupled with a physical illness.

Scientist have found a association between anxieties, including general anxiety disorder, and heart risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and thicker blood vessels. Generalized anxiety disorder can lead to poor response to heart disease treatment. Persons with generalized anxiety disorder can experience irritable bowel syndrome. Headaches can be a common feature in persons with generalized anxiety disorder. Sleep disorders and restless legs syndrome are other accompanying abnormalities associated with this anxiety disorder (Shelton, 2004).

Treatment options for generalized anxiety disorder Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants are used in pharmacological treatment for generalized anxiety disorder. Benzodiazepines treat generalized anxiety disorder by strengthening the function of GABAA which inhibit the generation of action potential. Benzodiazepines differ in terms of their half –life and effect on the level of renal excretion. Tricyclic antidepressants work as effectively as benzodiazepines but at a slower pace. They work by affecting psychic symptoms and not somatic symptoms or hyperarousal.

The FDA approves the use of buspirone in the treatment of this disorder. Psychotherapy is one of the non-pharmacological treatments of generalized anxiety disorder. Cognitive behavior therapy is another effective treatment for this disorder. Relaxation techniques can help tone down the adverse effects of stress on persons with this disorder and reduce its effects on sleep (Hoge et. al., 2004). Technologies used for clinical diagnosis, care and basic science research on generalized anxiety disorder Multi-step screening process is one of the diagnostic and treatment evaluation tools for general anxiety disorder.

Quantitative trait locus mapping, proteomics and gene expression profiling have been used to examine for genes that regulate anxieties and manage their pathology. General anxiety disorder can be screened using the primary care evaluation of mental disorders (PRIME-MD) tool. This tool has been found effective in the care for persons with this anxiety disorder. Neuroimaging has been used in studying the biology of generalized anxiety disorder. Researchers have used positron emission tomography (PET) to measure changes in the cerebral glucose levels in persons with general anxiety disorder.

A combination of single photon emission tomography and specific benzodiazepine receptor radioligand helps researchers study the impact of the disorder on receptor cells in the brain’s left temporal pole (Sokolowska & Hovatta, 2013).ReferencesHoge, Elizabeth A., Oppenheimer, Julia E. & Simon, Naomi M. (2004). Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Focus, 2(3): 346 – 359. Shelton,Charles I. (2004). Diagnosis and Management of Anxiety Disorders. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 104(3): S2 – S5.

Sokolowska, Ewa & Hovatta, Iiris. (2013). Anxiety genetics – findings from cross-species genome-wide approaches. Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders, 3:9.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Generalized anxiety disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Generalized anxiety disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/psychology/1636391-generalized-anxiety-disorder
(Generalized Anxiety Disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1636391-generalized-anxiety-disorder.
“Generalized Anxiety Disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1636391-generalized-anxiety-disorder.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Generalized anxiety disorder

Outcome of a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Intervention in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Outcome Studies of A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Intervention in generalized anxiety disorder Everybody experiences anxiety in everyday life, and the level of anxiety and manifestations vary from one person to another.... hellip; When anxiety becomes persistent, excessive, and out of control, where the person already experiences unrealistic worrying about everyday things, it is more likely associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).... Among the five major types of anxiety disorders [generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)], GAD is the most common....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Mental Health Issue

This guide is prepared for the new mental health service staff, detailing the necessary information about three kinds of mental health illnesses that they should be familiarized with in relation to the discharge of their duties to the service users.... The three mental illnesses… The provided pieces of information include the definitions of the illnesses, their causes, symptoms, effects, and the comprehensive overview of the illnesses....
16 Pages (4000 words) Coursework

Anxiety Disorders: Inner State of Turmoil

Lastly, there is the generalized anxiety disorder that involves unrealistic tension and worry even in situations where there is nothing to worry about or to provoke anxiety.... For example, women are twice likely to get generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias and panic disorder compared to men.... Psychological approaches to generalized anxiety disorder: A clinicians guide to assessment and treatment.... Thirdly, there is social anxiety disorder that is commonly referred to as social phobia, it involves overwhelming self-consciousness and worry about social situations that occur every day....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Visceral andAcute Pain Syndromes

osyln Pridgen Response discussionI agree with Josyln Pridgen on presentation of bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in patients.... The diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder must meet the diagnosis as required by DSm to determine if the client suffers from social impairment or clinically.... obert T Curry II Response discussionI agree with Robert T Curry II on the difference in presentation of generalized anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder exhibited by the patient....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

A campus/community event

n United States, there are three men with generalized anxiety disorder for every woman affected.... Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder are paranoid.... A typical example of a person with generalized anxiety disorder is the one who has misplaced his watch and insisted that the housekeeper stole it.... Among many forms of mental illness, psychological disorder is prevalent and one of the tricky problems to deal with, both for professional and for the non-professional....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Meditation and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The method produces results which are easy to be summarized well, generalized and simples to compare, here the generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) hypotheses will be tested as it is derived from the theory or being in a position to estimate the potential size of a particular phenomenon of interest.... Here are some of the quantitative data strategies that are going to be used: Interviews will follow in quantitative research method which looks to be more structured, the some standardized set of questions will be asked direct to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) patients and nothing more....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Controlling and Lessening Anxiety Disorders

Cisler, Olatunji, Feldner, and Forsyth (2010) argued that generalized anxiety disorder involves unrealistic, excessive tension and worry even if there is nothing or little to cause anxiety.... Management of generalized anxiety disorder in primary care: identifying the challenges and unmet needs.... PERSONALITY ANALYSIS FOR PATIENTS WITH generalized anxiety disorder.... anxiety disorder is a severe mental illness.... People with anxiety disorders, fear and worry, are overwhelming and OUTLINE OF LITERATURE REVIEW The literature review outline will discuss anxiety disorder....
2 Pages (500 words) Coursework

Emotional Disorders

"generalized anxiety disorder" paper focuses on the disorder that is an abnormal worry about something or even specific situations.... From the definition, generalized anxiety disorder is a condition in which it becomes difficult to control worry that occurs persistently (Clark & Beck, 2011).... he signs of a generalized anxiety disorder include having trouble with sleep or sleeping for long hours (Doctor, Kahn, & Adamec, 2008).... Furthermore, patients with this disorder lose appetite and due to this reason, there is weight loss....
10 Pages (2500 words) Research Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us