Generalized Anxiety Disorder and its Features
In this essay, the detail features of ‘Generalized anxiety disorder’ are going to be discussed. Prevalence of this order is also going to be discussed so that the action plan for caring the patients will be made. Along with this, the Australian statistics is also going to be highlighted and analyzed. After discussing the statistics, the signs, symptoms and risk factors associated with the GAD is going to be analyzed. Plan of care for patients is also going to be discussed and analyzed in the essay.
In this disease, people feel excessive anxiety and extreme worry about the day-to-day work and tasks of the life without having any obvious and specific reason. In this type of disorder, people feel anxiety on a daily basis and he does not feel comfortable in any situation of his life ( Erhardt, Gelbrich, & Klinger-König, 2022).
Unusual tension and psychological pressure are clearly noticeable in his or her behavior. This disorder can occur at any age of the life (Pengpid & Peltzer, 2022). Trouble in sleeping, nervousness, sweating, irritability and exaggerated worry are the major symptoms of this disorder which can be clearly noticeable in the behavior and habits of the person. People who are facing this disorder, usually expect the worst conditions in every day-to-day feature of the events and tasks of life (Pengpid & Peltzer, 2022).
When someone ask about the reason behind the worries and problems which are facing by the person, he or she usually do not have any convincing answer because all of their worries are only generated due to their mental illness ( Erhardt, Gelbrich, & Klinger-König, 2022). When this disorder becomes chronic or stay more than six months, it can harm the mental positions of the person up-to a significant level (Pengpid & Peltzer, 2022).
It is found that GAD develops when the person is not coping up with the internal stress which is facing by the person for a long-time duration ( Erhardt, Gelbrich, & Klinger-König, 2022). It is also found that there is a particular area of bran exists which is involved in controlling fear and anxiety and if this particular part of brain does not work, it leads towards facing GAD which is extremely harmful for the mental and physical health of the person ( Erhardt, Gelbrich, & Klinger-König, 2022).
It is found that in Australia, almost 14% of the population feel and experience a condition of anxiety. Among all the above stated people, only 3% experience GAD (ABS, 2022). It can be said that approximate 6% people of the total population experience GAD in their overall lifetime (ABS, 2022).
According to the statistics published by Australian Government, approximate 20% people of the total population of the country are facing any mental or behavioral issues whereas 13% or 3.2 million Australians are facing an anxiety disorder which is also increasing by 11% from the year 2014-2015 (ABS, 2022). In other words, it can be said that the patients of GAD are keeping on an increase with respect to time (ABS, 2022).
It is clearly visible that this type of mental disorder is developing in the population and also keep on spreading with respect to time. Lifetime prevalence of all type of mental disorders is 6% of the Australian population which is such a significant percentage (ABS, 2022). It is also noticed that ‘GAD’ is such type of disorder which is easily found in the people of the country (ABS, 2022). The disorder is spreading in the country without any stoppage and the percentage of people who are suffering from this disorder is comparatively higher which is such a serious issue for the public health of the country (ABS, 2022).
Prevalence of Disorder
In the year 2017-2018, 3.2 million Australians approximate (13.1%) had an anxiety related condition (Willis, 2022). It is found that women are facing more issues of Generalized anxiety disorder rather than men (Willis, 2022). It is found that in Australia, one in three women will experience anxiety whereas only one in five men are facing the issues related with GAD. It is clearly found that women are more prevalent than men in case of ‘Generalized anxiety disorder’ (Willis, 2022).
The people of the country are facing this issue and it is found that finding out treatment of this problem is essential. It is also found that enhancing the awareness about the Generalized anxiety disorder and its impact will be highly beneficial for the people of the country ( Krahé, Whyte, Bridge, & Loizou, 2019). A significant number of Australian populations is suffering from the cases of GAD which is such a serious problem (Blue , 2022).
It is also found that Generalized anxiety disorder is such a serious condition which is constantly facing by the Australian population. GAD is not only creating problems for the people of the country but also it is stopping the physical and mental growth of the people. It is affecting the quality of life of the people which is such a serious problem (McEvoy, Erceg-Hurn, & Anderson, 2015).
Among the total cases of ‘Generalized anxiety disorder’, in the country, 3.4% cases have been found with females whereas only 1.9% cases were reported about the male candidates (ABS, 2022). These statistics clearly noticed that female candidates are more prone towards having ‘GAD’ in comparison to the male candidates. Apart from this, it is also noticed that females are having this mental disorder. It is also found that females are also facing more emotional problems which results in ‘GAD’ (McEvoy, Erceg-Hurn, & Anderson, 2015).
Gender difference in this disease can be easily visible which creates a major problem for the female candidates (Galbally, Watson, & van Rossum, 2022).
Feeling excessive worry, anxiety, restlessness, sleeping disorders, feeling tired and feeling irritable and having muscle tensions are the primary symptoms that is faced by the person. Abdominal pain or constipation along with welling of arms or legs are also noticed in such type of people (Pengpid & Peltzer, 2022).
Constant mental stress and low level of moral are also major physical symptoms of the patients of ‘GAD’ (Curcio & Corboy, 2020).
Most of the worries which are connected with the person is associated with work, life, families and many other important aspects of the life. It is observed that in most of the cases, people with having GAD usually talks about the worst condition of the various aspects of the events that are the part of the day-to-day life of the person (Blue , 2022).
Patients of GAD are usually over emotional persons and they are constantly talk about extreme worries. They usually discuss about those conditions which are rare and there are very less chances exists for happening of those conditions (Blue , 2022).
Over confirming about each and every task is the primary symptom which is facing by the persons on a daily basis. They confirm about each and every minute details about the work and task which makes the other person irritable. They always feel restless and they usually do not feel comfortable or happy even in the good and positive conditions. Overall, it can be said that GAD affect the mental condition of the person up-to a significant level that is why it should be treated as soon as possible (Blue , 2022).
Australian Statistics
‘GAD’ leads towards making the people mentally and physically ill which is not good for the long-term health of the people of the country. Due to the excessive worries, person feel constantly fatigue which provide negative impact on the health of the people of the country (McEvoy, Erceg-Hurn, & Anderson, 2015).
In female candidates, menstruation problem is often found due to the ‘Generalized anxiety disorder’. It is found that the people who are suffering from this mental disorder face a lot of physical problems like regular constipations, dehydrations and many other problems. Depression and chronic mental health problems are also very frequently observed in those people who are suffering from ‘GAD’ (McEvoy, Erceg-Hurn, & Anderson, 2015).
Depression and anxiety are also frequently observed in the people who are having this mental disorder. In many cases, personality disorders are also frequently observed in the people of ‘GAD’. OCD are commonly found in these types of people. Overall, it is found that the people who are suffering from ‘GAD’ are facing a lot of risk of physical and emotional problems (McEvoy, Erceg-Hurn, & Anderson, 2015).
Medication and therapy, both are suggested for the people who are suffering from ‘Generalized anxiety disorder’ (Blue , 2022). It is found that psychotherapy is extremely helpful in making the people understand about the importance and need of intaking a balanced diet. The therapist can give many examples in order to make the patient understand that he or she need not to feel excessive worries and stress so that they can attain physical and mental fitness ( Krahé, Whyte, Bridge, & Loizou, 2019).
At least three counselling sessions in a week are suggested to the patients of GAD so that they can understand their behavioral changes and can focus on taking balanced diet (Pengpid & Peltzer, 2022). A diet chart needs to be provided to these people so that they can realize that they have to intake proper meals in regular intervals which will also improve their mental health and reduce their worries (Galbally, Watson, & van Rossum, 2022).
Medications can also be used for treating the patients (Curcio & Corboy, 2020). However, medication can only remove the deficiency of the vitamins, minerals and many other essential ingredients from the body for only a limited time duration. Medication cannot help the person for a long time that is why a combination of medication and therapy is suggested to the patients of ‘GAD’ (McEvoy, Erceg-Hurn, & Anderson, 2015).
Proper diet chart and a schedule of daily activities of the person will be set so that he or she can ensure about having improvement in his body. In the counselling sessions, the negative impact of feeling excessive worries and stress will be highlighted to the persons so that they can understand the consequences of their mental issues and worries (Galbally, Watson, & van Rossum, 2022).
S. No. |
Activities |
Time-duration |
(1) |
Supervising and monitoring the patient so that adopting normal behavior and intake of proper of meal can be ensured by the healthcare professional. |
Every day. |
(2) |
Expected positive behavioral changes |
Every weak. |
(3) |
Therapy sessions will be provided to the patients. |
Three sessions in a week. |
The above stated action plan consists of all the most possible and suggested actions that need to be taken by a healthcare professional so that the improvement in the patient can be easily noticed (Curcio & Corboy, 2020). It is also true that medication and therapy both are required for the patient so that their health can be improved (Coussement & Heeren , 2022).
Gender Difference
In counselling sessions, a detail about the problem which is associated with this mental disorder need to be explained in front of the patient so that he or she can understand the behavioral and psychological changes which became a part of his life. It is true that taking care of the patents of ‘GAD’ is such a complex task because making the patient understand about his psychological problem is very difficult ( Krahé, Whyte, Bridge, & Loizou, 2019). Apart from this, making him or her ready about not taking excess worries and intake of proper meals and balanced diet is also a difficult task. In short, the above sated action plan is sufficient for improving the health conditions of the people of ‘GAD’ ( Hirsch, Krahe, Whyte, & Loizou, 2018).
Conclusion
On the basis of above discussion and research, it can be easily concluded that ‘Generalized anxiety disorder’ is a serious mental disorder which is affected a significant number of populations of the country. It is also found that females are having this disorder in a higher percentage in comparison to men. In this mental disorder, people try to take excessive worries and stress.
After studying the action plan for the patients, it is also clearly observed that the patients need a lot of care and treatment so that they can overcome from this severe mental health problem. It is observed that psychological and physical both the treatments need to be given to the patients so that they can overcome from this mental disorder as soon as possible.
References
Erhardt, A., Gelbrich, G., & Klinger-König, J. (2022). Generalised anxiety and panic symptoms in the German National Cohort (NAKO). The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry , 1-16.
Hirsch, C., Krahe, C., Whyte, J., & Loizou, S. (2018). Interpretation training to target repetitive negative thinking in generalized anxiety disorder and depression. Journal of Consulting and clinical psyhcology , 1-1017.
Krahé, C., Whyte, J., Bridge, L., & Loizou, S. (2019). Are different forms of repetitive negative thinking associated with interpretation bias in generalized anxiety disorder and depression? Clinical Psychological Science , 969-981.
ABS. (2022, March 31). Mental health. Retrieved from The website of abs: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/mental-health/latest-release
Blue , B. (2022, March 31). Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Retrieved from The website of australianpsychologyservices : https://www.australasianpsychologyservices.co/Articles/BBGAD.pdf
Coussement, C., & Heeren , A. (2022). Sleep problems as a transdiagnostic hub bridging impaired attention control, generalized anxiety, and depression. Journal of Affective Disorders,, 305-308.
Curcio, C., & Corboy, D. (2020). Stigma and anxiety disorders: A systematic review. Stigma and Health, 1-125.
Galbally, M., Watson, S., & van Rossum, E. (2022). The perinatal origins of childhood anxiety disorders and the role of early-life maternal predictors. Psychological Medicines , 506-514.
McEvoy, P., Erceg-Hurn, D., & Anderson, R. (2015). Group metacognitive therapy for repetitive negative thinking in primary and non-primary generalized anxiety disorder: An effectiveness trial. Journal of affective disorders, 124-132.
Pengpid, S., & Peltzer, K. (2022). Depression and generalised anxiety and associated factors among adults in Bhutan: Results of national cross-sectional survey in 2019. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 1-102959.
Willis, O. (2022, March 31). Anxiety: Why the gender gap in Australia’s most common mental illness? Retrieved from The website of abc.net : https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2018-11-03/anxiety-more-common-in-women/10454582