1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder By Tina Tytko

2. What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder? “Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of anxiety that are not triggered by any specific object, situation, or activity but rather seem to be what Freud labelled ‘free floating’ … general feelings of dread, foreboding, and heightened states of sympathetic arousal”. (Nevid, 2001)

3. So What Does That Mean In English? Generalized anxiety disorder affects people in a general way. They can feel anxiety at any given time just because. There can nothing that sets off an episode of feeling anxious, no triggers. BUT!! It can be triggered as well. Feeling anxious means feeling uneasy or worried about something. With Generalized Anxiety Disorder that feeling could just linger with no “something” to worry or feel uneasy about.

4. Everyone worries! Are there more features to this disorder? Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is more then just a little worried. “People with GAD are chronic worriers, and excessive, uncontrollable worrying is considered to be a key feature of the disorder” (Nevid, 2001) Other features include: Restlessness Feeling tense Easily fatigued Difficulty concentrating Finding one’s mind going blank Irritability Muscle tension Sleep disturbances

5. Check out this video to help explain it a bit better… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpRo1Gb1FOg

6. How does a person get diagnosed with GAD? They display these symptoms… Excessive worry that happens more days then not Lasts more then 6 months Causes impairment in areas of life. I.e. social, work. Hard to control worry At least 3 of the following: Restless Fatigued Difficult to concentrate Irritable Muscle tension Sleep disturbance

7. What are some statistics about GAD? GAD affects twice as many women as it does men. Tends to initially arise in the mid-teens to mid-20s Follows a lifelong course About 5% of the population Frequently occurs comorbidly (together) with other mental disorders

8. What does a person do about it if they think they might have GAD? Call your doctor. That’s the first step. If you just can’t bring yourself to call your doctor, call a good friend. Know that there are tons of people out in the world who feel just like you. Contact the counsellors listed at the end of this presentation Learn to meditate. Practice deep breathing. Calming the mind is a wonderful way to ease anxiety.

9. Have you heard of Progressive Muscle Relaxation? Try This…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqKIjKyElmo

10. What will a doctor do if a person is diagnosed with GAD? May prescribe therapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy May prescribe that you learn relaxation techniques May prescribe medication to help the chemicals in your brain normalize Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan (helpguide.org) These drugs do have side effects so it’s important to know them and make sure the benefits of taking them outweigh the negative side effects. Talk to your doctor about side effects before and during treatment.

11. Are there counsellors I can call in Niagara for help? ABMA Counselling Services 4056 Dorchester Road in Niagara Falls (905) 321-0550 http://www.abmacounselling.com/contact.html Niagara Counselling 5017 Victoria Avenue, Suite 106-107 in Niagara Falls 905-357-9877 http://www.niagaracounselling.org/contact.html

12. What about meditation or relaxation techniques… Is there a place I can go to learn about that? Pure and Natural Health & Wellness 20 Grote Street in St. Catharines 905-650-1144 http://www.purenaturalhealth.ca Willpower Meditation Center 4694 Morrison Street in Niagara Falls 905-374-8849 http://www.willpowerinstitute.com/event-items/niagara-falls-willpower-meditation- centre/

13. References BeyondBlue. (2013, May 5). I Am Anxiety. Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpRo1Gb1FOg. Helpguide.org. (2014, November 29). Anxiety Medication. Retrieved from Helpguide.org: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-medication.htm Nevid, J. S. (2001). Essentials of Abnormal Psychology, Third Canadian Edition. Don Mills,On.: Pearson Canada Inc. TV, S. B. (2013). Progressive Muscle Relaxation Techniques. United Kingdom: Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqKIjKyElmo