Page 11 - Inspire Health Magazine | May - June 2017

healthy mind
YOUR everyday things. It is diagnosed when a

person has three or more symptoms and
finds it difficult to control worry on more
ANXIETY days than not for at least six months.
Physicians affiliated with the
National Institute of Mental Health
(NIMH) explain that generalized anxiety

Typical or Troublesome? disorder improves, but is not cured
with medications or psychotherapy.
Additionally, lifestyle changes, coping skills
and relaxation techniques can help.
For those looking for a natural way
By Patricia Danflous to alleviate anxiety symptoms, suggested
methods include breathing lavender oil or
veryone experiences at According to the Anxiety and using lavender oils in a relaxing massage,
least some level of anxiety Depression Association of America following a diet high in omega-3 fatty
from time to time. While (ADAA), generalized anxiety disorder acids, bathing in Epsom salts, eliminating or
it’s certainly not unusual (GAD) is fairly common, affecting minimizing the intake of caffeine and sugar,
Eto feel anxious about 6.8 million adults -- or 3.1% of the exercising regularly or relaxing with a hot
meeting a deadline, pulling off a job U.S. population -- occurring more cup of chamomile tea.
interview or taking a final exam, the frequently in women. How is it If uneasy, doom-and-gloom feelings
degree and frequency of your angst different from basic apprehension? persist because of real or perceived situ-
is what separates the typical from the GAD is characterized by persistent, ations, you may need to consult a mental
troublesome. excessive and unrealistic worry about health professional.

The Generalized Anxiety Over the last two weeks, how often Not at Several More than Nearly
Disorder Assessment can help have you been bothered by the following All Days Half the Every
you measure your level of GAD problems? Days Day
symptoms, which include:
• Restlessness or feeling Feeling nervous, anxious or on edge 0 1 2 3
on-edge
• Fatigue Being unable to stop or control worrying 0 1 2 3
• Difficulty concentrating or Worrying too much about different things 0 1 2 3
having your mind go blank Trouble relaxing 0 1 2 3
• Irritability
• Muscle tension Being so relentless that it's hard to sit still 0 1 2 3
• Difficulty controlling worry Becoming easily annoyed or irritable 0 1 2 3
• Sleep problems (difficulty
falling or staying asleep; Feeling afraid, as if something awful might happen 0 1 2 3
or experiencing restless, Total:
unsatisfying sleep)

What Your Total Score Means:
Your total score is a guide to how severe your
anxiety disorder may be:
• 0 - 4: Mild anxiety
• 5 - 9: Moderate anxiety
• 10 - 14: Moderately severe anxiety
• 15 - 21: Severe anxiety
If your score is 10 or higher, or if you feel that
anxiety is affecting your daily life, call your doctor.
The GAD-7 Questionnaire was developed by Doc-
tors Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B. W. Williams, Kurt
Kroenke and colleagues, with an education grant
from Pfizer, Inc.

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