Anxiety Disorders

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, over 40 million Americans, which accounts for an estimated 19.1 percent of the population, suffer from anxiety disorders such as panic disorders, agoraphobia, or generalized anxiety disorder (NAMI, 2017). Anxiety disorders also affect the younger generation, including an estimated 7 percent of children aged between 3 and 17 years yearly. The high number affected by anxiety disorders reflects a need to review one of these disorders to inform the public on the symptoms better to watch out for, the measures to take in addressing the problem, and the treatments available to address the issue (NAMI, 2017).

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Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms vary from one patient to the other but typically include some of the following (Mayo Clinic, 2021). The most common ones have persistent anxiety or worry about areas of issues in a manner that is out of proportion with the event’s impacts, overthinking the solutions to the possible worst-case scenarios, indecisiveness, and the fear of making erratic decisions (Mayo Clinic, 2021).

Other symptoms of the disorder include perceiving a threat in any event or situation, even where there is none, the inability to relax and feel restful, difficulty concentrating, and challenges dealing with uncertainty, even in situations that present minimal or no risk (Mayo Clinic, 2021).

Further, generalized anxiety disorders trigger sure physical signs and symptoms, including trouble sleeping, fatigue, muscle aches or tension, trembling or twitchiness, nervousness, sweating, irritability, and nausea or irritable bowel syndrome (Mayo Clinic, 2021).

Signs and Symptoms of a Patient

According to the DSM-5 guidelines, a patient suffering from generalized anxiety disorders will show excessive worry and anxiety that occurs on more days for over six months about different issues, ranging from school and work performance (Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2013).

Secondly, the patient will have challenges controlling their worry. Thirdly, the patient will show fear and anxiety associated with at least the following symptoms that have been present for more days than peaceful ones for the past six months. The symptoms include restlessness, easily fatigued, irritability, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, and muscle tension (Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2013). In the case of children, only one symptom is required to show evidence that they are suffering from the disorder. Fourthly, the patient will show significant distress that affects their social, occupational, or other areas of functioning. Fifth, the patient will show psychological disturbance not associated with the physiological indications of substance use. Finally, the patient will show trouble that cannot be explained based on other medical disorders (Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2013).

Prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorders in the U.S.

In the U.S., generalized anxiety disorders affect an estimated 6.8 million adults, translating to an estimated 3.1 percent of the total population ADAA, 2021). Unfortunately, only an estimated 43.2 percent of the affected population is getting treatment for the disorder. The mental disorder affects women disproportionately, noting that they are twice as likely to suffer from the illness as men. Statistically, the condition also often occurs together with significant depression and thus requires many diagnoses and case exploration (ADAA, 2021).

Individual Perception of the Impacts on Workplace Performance

Generalized anxiety disorders have a significant impact on workplace performance. Having people with mental illness in the workplace will have many adverse effects due to how it affects behavior and performance outcomes. For example, people suffering from the disorder often turn down an offer to be promoted in the workplace, even though they can take the position successfully, for instance, because it entails public speaking or traveling. Similarly, affected people are likelier to perform poorly in teams, affecting the overall performance group. Generalized anxiety disorders often affect staff behaviors, compelling them to leave office fun events, parties, team-building activities, or staff lunches, among other essential activities. Finally, the affected individual will often be unable to meet deadlines, negatively affecting work delivery.

Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorders

One treatment method that works well for patients with generalized anxiety disorders is psychotherapy. When using the treatment method, the various approaches include psychotherapy and psychological counseling, which entail working closely with a psychotherapist to manage and minimize anxiety symptoms (Mayo Clinic, 2021). Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective form of psychological counseling, which focuses on teaching the patient the specific skills required to manage their anxiety and worries. The treatment helps the patient overcome the fears, concerns, and concerns that affect them, helping them regain control and perform the activities they may have avoided. By managing the symptoms, the patient regains psychological control. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can also be combined with medications to control the symptoms, including antidepressants such as venlafaxine (Effexor X.R.) (Mayo Clinic, 2021).

Long-term Prognosis

The long-term prognosis for generalized anxiety disorder is that an estimated 40 percent of the patients experience the illness for over five years. When the patient suffers from the condition, the disease will cause functional impairment, reduce vocational function, and affect the quality of life. Fortunately, the situation improves with time, especially with effective management.

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References

ADAA. (2021). Facts & Statistics. Anxiety & Depression Association of America. https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics

Mayo Clinic. (2021). Generalized anxiety disorder. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-

anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20360803

NAMI. (December 2017). Anxiety Disorders. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Anxiety-Disorders

Reynolds, C.R., & Kamphaus, R.W. (2013). Generalized Anxiety Disorder: DSM-5™ Diagnostic Criteria. Pearson Clinical.

http://images.pearsonclinical.com/images/assets/basc-3/basc3resources/DSM5_DiagnosticCriteria_GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder.pdf

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Question

Complete a thorough summary of a psychological disorder of your choice (I have provided a sample list below). Please offer signs and symptoms of the disease, how it is diagnosed, and what treatments are available (medication, therapy, hospitalization, etc.). Additionally, please share if there is an age requirement for the diagnosis and provide statistics related to how many people are diagnosed with this disorder year and if the disorder is considered common or rare Provide as much detail as possible. Please use at least two references and do not plagiarize.