General Anxiety Disorder: 
Causes of General Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety, as a rule, is not a bad thing. Anxiety, in fact, is a physiological response which prepares our bodies to function at their maximum in dangerous or significant situations. Anxiety will enable us to leap out of the way of an out-of-control car, or focus our concentration when studying for a critical exam.

It's when our brains begin to see threats where none exist, and keep our bodies chronically geared up for action, that normal, appropriate anxiety turns into general anxiety disorder, or GAD. General anxiety disorder pervades every aspect of it victims' lives, and can destroy their ability to perform the simplest of daily tasks.

Studies have shown that general anxiety disorder may result when the neurotransmitters in the brain, which are responsible for carrying "communications" between neurons, are in a state of imbalance. High levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine will increase feelings of anxiety, and high levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and GABA--Gamma Amino Butyric Acid--will relieve them.

The medications most often prescribed for sufferers of general anxiety disorder are the benzodiazepines, including Xanax, Ativan, and Valium. They work by improving the effectiveness of GABA in reducing anxiety and helping people to remain relaxed under stress.

One approach to treating general anxiety disorder, the behavioral approach, is based on the theory that when people find themselves not knowing what behavior is expected in unfamiliar situations, they become anxious because they are afraid of doing the wrong thing. They may find themselves unable to do anything at all.

And behavioral therapies can be planned to optimize their effectiveness according to how a patient's general anxiety disorder exhibits itself. Once patients have learned to identify the negative thoughts which arise when they are in new situations, and counteract them with positive ones, they can learn new behaviors.

Exposure therapy will place the general anxiety disorder patient in threatening situations, or close to threatening objects, for controlled lengths of time, and as they successfully manage their anxiety, the length of time will increase until that particular anxiety trigger no longer affects them.

General anxiety disorder can also be treated with meditation, exercise, and relaxation and deep breathing techniques.

Estimates are that between eight and nine percent of Americans will be affected with general anxiety disorder during their lifetimes. So if you have general anxiety disorder, you're not alone, and there are people ready and waiting to help!

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