For patients with generalized anxiety disorder, support from relatives is of utmost importance. In this article, we will discuss how we can help people with generalized anxiety disorder.
How to help patients with generalized anxiety disorder
As we go through life, we are faced with stressful and threatening situations, and then we feel great insecurity. However, people who are overwhelmed with anxiety and unable to control those emotions may have symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Patients with generalized anxiety disorder suffer from extreme anxiety every day.
Feeling anxious over trivial things such as being late for an appointment, causes problems not only in social relationships but also in relationships with co-workers and classmates.
In order for patients with a generalized anxiety disorder to receive proper treatment, it is good to have someone who understands the situation well and can support them.
Definition of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
The American Psychological Association defines Generalized Anxiety Disorder as a mental disorder characterized by excessive worry and anxiety about a variety of everyday topics. Adults are usually very anxious about work, health, finances, family relationships, and household chores, while children are usually anxious about school life.
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by uncontrollable and irrational worries, and the degree of disorder varies according to the degree of anxiety, duration, and frequency of occurrence.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) states that generalized anxiety disorder can only be diagnosed when symptoms persist for at least 6 months.
Symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder include:
- Restlessness, Tension, Feeling Trapped
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or falling asleep
- Irritability
- Muscle tone
How to help people with generalized anxiety disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a painful mental disorder that requires the help of those around you.
Most people don’t know how to help people with generalized anxiety disorder. Relatives who go out to help can make the problem worse, so you need to know the symptoms and deal with them properly.
What is an anxiety attack?
Anxiety attacks are panic attacks that occur suddenly. The symptoms vary from person to person, but may include:
- Heart palpitation
- Perspiration
- Shake
- Dry mouth
- Shortness of breath and choking
- Chest pain
- Nausea and abdominal discomfort
- Feeling unrealistic
- Paresthesia (tingling or tingling)
Recognize your symptoms
We start by asking about the patient’s feelings and condition. Patients usually say ‘I’m fine, but honestly say they’re concerned if they show signs of extreme nervousness and irritability.
It is important to understand the experience from the patient’s point of view.
Listen and Empathize
If you want to connect with the patient, don’t give unnecessary advice or interrupt the conversation. Empathy is essential to help.
People around you often make the mistake of ignoring the patient’s pain. Reactions such as ‘I’m in the air or ‘Don’t worry cannot help the patient’s situation, even if it comes from good intentions.
Acknowledge your Feelings
Empathy means understanding, justification, and acceptance. Don’t blame or downplay the patient’s feelings. Pretending to know everything about the patient’s condition is also an act of disrespect.
Be Calm
Also, don’t get angry or worry too much about someone who is anxious. Try to calm your opponent down as calmly as possible.
Talk calmly, relax, and make it clear that you want to help.
The closer you are to the patient, the easier it is to become tired and annoyed with the treatment process. If you are emotionally exhausted, seek professional help so that you can help the patient properly.
Get expert help
If you have not been diagnosed or treated by a professional, the help of loved ones is essential. Find a psychologist, counselor, or related organization and invite them to visit.
Do not force yourself to be dragged because you refuse professional help. It explores a variety of treatments and allows the patient to make a choice.
Participate in treatment
Even after starting treatment, pay attention to the patient and provide frequent assistance. The support of people close to you is a great help in treatment.
Learning how to help people with generalized anxiety disorder
Since the data on generalized anxiety disorder is vast, studying the symptoms, treatment, and prevention methods as much as possible can provide more appropriate help.
Do and Don't For Anxiety Disorder you Must Know
The Importance of Helping Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder is difficult to diagnose. Symptoms vary, and the state of tension may be inconspicuous and chronic, sometimes without panic attacks. They seem to be usually concerned about some problem.
However, pathological concerns become a problem because they are serious and unable to get rid of them.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a condition in which you cannot control your worries and tensions, and it is difficult to determine the cause at first. Some patients say they do not know why they are nervous.
Most people with generalized anxiety disorder suffer from symptoms for a long time and do not seek professional help. Therefore, although symptoms often worsen, clinical treatment is essential to improve the condition.
Treatment of anxiety disorder and counseling
General tips to help with anxiety attacks
1. Lavender Oil
There are several natural remedies that can help prevent or calm the symptoms of an anxiety attack. However, many of them need further studies to prove their effectiveness.
Lavender oil has been shown to have a relaxing effect when suffering from problems affecting the nervous system. Specifically, one study was conducted in which participants took this oil in supplement form. However, we should always take it in diluted form and follow the instructions on the product label.
2. Physical exercise and rest
Exercise or rest can control aggression and promote well-being.
Physical exercise does not resolve anxiety attacks. However, research shows that it can be helpful when combined with other measures. For example, you can do aerobic exercise three times a week.
Likewise, you need to find a way to relax your muscles. Of course, it depends on each person’s taste and personality, but you can try activities like yoga or other activities you like.
3. Breath
As mentioned earlier, shortness of breath is one of the symptoms of an anxiety attack. For example, hyperventilation can cause seizures to begin or prolong. For this reason, it is important to learn how to control your breathing. This is because it can be important during and as a way to treat seizures.
Breathing retraining can reduce the frequency and intensity of anxiety attacks. Therefore, any treatment that leads to this goal can be said to be beneficial.
4. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can be effective as a long-term treatment for stress and anxiety attacks.
Beyond the moment you experience an anxiety attack, psychotherapy should definitely be a long-term treatment option to overcome it. If you wish, you can attend a support talk or self-group group.
A psychiatrist will investigate the emotional problems associated with this problem. In addition, they will evaluate the causes and circumstances in which the anxiety appears.
Although there are many options, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) stands out because of its proven effectiveness in treating this problem. This is because CBT teaches you different ways to think, act, and react to the emotions that lead to aggression.
We hope that this information on anxiety attacks and treatment of this problem has been helpful and, above all, that you have found that psychotherapy is essential.
