Generalized alarming frustration

If at the person for half a year the excessive daily feeling of concern and alarm is observed, it is possible to speak about the generalized alarming frustration (GAF).

Reasons of generalized alarming frustration

The exact reasons of development of a disease are unknown. Quite often he can be met at the patients suffering from alcohol addiction, and also from attacks of panic and heavy depressions.

This disease is quite widespread. Statistically, about 3% of the population of the planet annually get sick. And women are ill twice more often than men. It is often possible to meet a disease at children and teenagers, but there is a generalized alarming frustration and at adults.

The disease is characterized by the constant alarm and fears arising concerning various circumstances or events which obviously do not demand similar disorders. At students, for example, the excessive fear of examinations, and even with good knowledge and an appreciation can be observed. Patients with GTR often do not realize excessiveness of the fears, however the constant alarming state causes in them discomfort.

That it was possible to diagnose with confidence GTR, its symptoms have to be shown for, at least, six months, and the alarm has to be uncontrolled.

Symptoms of generalized alarming frustration

At GTR the direct reason for alarm does not come to light as accurately, as at various panic attacks. The patient can worry for a set of the reasons. Most often there is an alarm concerning professional obligations, constant shortage of money, safety, health, repair of the car or other daily duties.

Characteristic symptoms of generalized alarming frustration are: increased fatigue, concern, irritability, easing of concentration of attention, sleep disorder, muscular tension. It should be noted that most of patients with GTR already have one or more mental disorders, including panic frustration, a depressive or social phobia, etc.

Clinically GTR is shown as follows: the patient feels constant alarm and tension caused by a number of events or actions for six and more months. It cannot control this alarming state, and it is followed by above-mentioned symptoms.

For diagnosis of GTR at children existence at least is enough one of six symptoms. Diagnosis of generalized alarming frustration at adults requires existence of at least three symptoms.

At GTR the orientation of concern and alarm is not limited to motives which are characteristic of other alarming frustration. So, the concern and alarm are not connected only with fear of the panic attacks (panic frustration), fear of big accumulation of the people (a social phobia), increase in weight (nervous anorexia), fear of separation at children's age (separation alarming frustration), an opportunity to ache with a dangerous disease (morbid depression) and others. The alarming state causes discomfort in the patient and prevents it to conduct full-fledged life.

As a rule, symptoms of generalized alarming frustration are caused by a number of physical frustration (for example, a hypothyroidism), and also reception of medicinal or narcotic drugs.

Risk factors

Chances to ache with GTR increase in the presence of the following factors:

• female;
• low self-assessment;
• exposure to stresses;
• smoking, alcohol intake, the drugs or medicines causing dependence;
• long stay under the influence of one or several negative factors (poverty, violence, etc.);
• existence at members of the family of alarming frustration.

Diagnosis of generalized alarming frustration

On consultation the doctor makes physical survey of the patient, asks it about history and symptoms of a disease. Diagnosis of a disease includes carrying out a research for the purpose of detection of other diseases which could provoke GTR (for example, a disease of a thyroid gland).

The doctor asks the patient what medicines he accepts as some of them can cause the serious side effects similar to GTR symptoms. Also the doctor will surely take an interest whether we depend the patient on tobacco, alcohol or narcotic substances.

The exact diagnosis of GTR is established in the presence of the following factors:

• symptoms of GTR proceed for half a year and more;
• they cause essential discomfort in the patient and prevent it to conduct full-fledged life (for example, the patient is forced to miss study or work);
• symptoms of GTR have constant and uncontrolled character.

Treatment of generalized alarming frustration

As a rule, treatment of generalized alarming frustration consists of the following methods:

• Cognitive and behavioural therapy. The patient learn to change the point of view and to react more quietly to alarming situations.
• Behavioural therapy. The patient relaxations, to relaxation of muscles, deep breath, visualization teach technique. It helps the patient to control feeling of alarm, teaches it to keep calm. During therapy the doctor can sometimes subject the patient to a small stress with the purpose to cause among it concern and alarm. It allows it to watch the patient in Wednesday, adverse for it.
• Biological feedback which is carried out by means of connection of sensors to a body. This method helps the doctor to understand the body signals reacting to irritants and to decide on further treatment.
• Support groups. This method of therapy allows the patient to share the experience and learn how other people coped with a similar disease.
• Reception of medicines. Drugs to the patient write out if symptoms of GTR prevent it to live and work normally. It is important to note that reception of many drugs cannot be stopped independently therefore before the termination it is necessary to consult with the attending physician.

Medicines for treatment of generalized alarming frustration include:

• The benzodiazepines promoting relaxation of muscles and interfering their tension in response to alarming thoughts. This medicine is taken under strict control of the doctor as can cause dependence.
• Drugs for reduction of alarm, such as Buspiron, Alprazolam;
• Antidepressants (preferential inhibitors of the return serotonin reuptake).
• Beta-blockers for removal of physical symptoms of GTR.

For the most successful treatment of GTR it is important to reveal a disease as soon as possible as it allows to reduce risk of emergence of heavy psychological complications.

For reduction of symptoms of GTR it is recommended to avoid the use of nicotine, the caffeine and other means promoting nervous excitement.