Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Healthcare providers and mental health professionals use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to diagnose generalized anxiety disorder.

The criteria include:

Excessive anxiety and worry for at least six months.
Difficulty controlling the worrying.
The anxiety results in significant distress or impairs daily functioning.
The anxiety isn’t due to a physical cause (such as thyroid issues or substance use).

The anxiety is also associated with three or more of the following symptoms for at least six months:

Restlessness or feeling on edge.
Being easily fatigued.
Difficulty concentrating.
Muscle tension.
Sleep issues.
Irritability.

If you think you or your child has GAD, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider or a mental health professional, such as a psychologist.

A healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and may order some tests to make sure there are no physical medical conditions or substances that are causing your symptoms. These tests may include:

Thyroid blood tests.
Blood glucose test.
Echocardiogram (heart test).
Toxicology screen (drug test).

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.