There is no single day that a person does not worry. In fact, worrying is part of normal life. When the time comes that you worry over petty things so much, then it is time to collect yourself and have yourself checked by a medical professional. If you are trying to determine what is causing anxiety or want to manage your anxiety, we recommend using CareClinic as an anxiety disorder app. This involves logging your anxiety, sharing your results with caregivers or reviewing it yourself to learn more about your anxiety.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is defined as excessive and persistent worry that interferes with feelings, thoughts and even behavior. Patients having this disorder may be overthinking about work, family, money or almost everything in life. The condition is very exhausting in all aspects and patients find it hard to control their worries.
GAD affects over 6.8 million people in the US every year which is approximately 3.1% of the American population. According to studies, women are more affected as compared to men. GAD comes on gradually and may begin at any point in the life cycle. However, the risk is actually highest during childhood and middle age.
There are a lot of treatment plans given by specialists of this disorder. Therapy and SSRIs are the main options and these can be very overwhelming during the first few days. To have an assistant when it comes to planning and setting a schedule, check out CareClinic. This generalized anxiety disorder app helps in monitoring moods, tracking symptoms and sending out notifications on when to take next the dose of the medicine. It also comes with a health journal to help you manage and control the disorder.
How Anxiety Disorder Apps helps manage your feelings, thoughts, and behavior
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) mainly requires treatment and it may be through synthetic medications and/or therapy. Relaxation activities such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness may help significantly. CareClinic sends out notifications regarding the therapy schedule at present. Aside from that, the app generates medication reminders so that missing a dose is never possible. The alarm reminder may also help by changing it according to the doctor’s treatment plan.
With this medication reminder, you will be able to take medications that alleviate the condition, as well as prevent side effects. The app’s barcode scanner can immediately get the details of the medication and upload it right away. After doing this, the app will practically do the rest which gives patients ample time to relax and sleep.
CareClinic allows you to create a digital health diary and record your moods and symptoms which help control anxiety and stress. Aside from that, all the data placed in the tracker will then be converted into a monthly report in which your specialist may take a look and probably make some adjustments to your treatment plan. The data will also show the progress that comes along with treatment. With this, CareClinic only makes the lives of GAD patients better.
The team at CareClinic takes feedback well and from time to time, they update the app. If you have privacy issues, the app is secured as you can create a passcode so that no one else can use it for whatever reason. This feature makes all data saved in the app protected.
Worrying too much is not okay
GAD is a long-term condition that is characterized by excessive worrying without any validated reason. If you apparently have this condition, you may be so concerned about a lot of things and even anticipate disasters that will happen. This type of worry is irrational and unrealistic and find it close to impossible to control. As this condition persists, this eventually affects work and all activities of daily living.
GAD symptoms are very detrimental to your behavioral, emotional and physical well-being. These are the following:
Physical symptoms
- Feeling tense, muscle tightness, body pain
- Problems falling asleep or staying asleep
- Stomach problems, nausea, diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Headaches
- Trembling
- Being easily fatigued
- Muscle tension and aches
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness, sickness
- Tachycardia
Behavioral symptoms
- Inability to relax
- Difficulties concentrating
- Avoiding situations that can cause or increase anxiety
- Delaying tasks because of feeling overwhelmed
- Irritability
Emotional symptoms
- Constant and uncontrolled worrying
- Inability to tolerate uncertainty
- Feelings of apprehension or dread
- Restlessness
Aside from these usual symptoms, some GAD patients also have phobias and panic disorders. This is also the reason why diagnosing GAD is difficult because most of the symptoms are the same as other mental health illnesses. Most specialists rule out GAD once the symptoms persist for more than 6 months. This is why CareClinic works great as a way to record symptoms of your anxiety, as part of being a complete anxiety disorder app.
What are the usual triggers of Anxiety?
No known cause nor cure, Generalized Anxiety Disorder only has some known triggers. It may be one or a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, and external factors. If you have a family history of GAD, there is a higher risk of the disorder manifesting in you. Abnormal functioning of certain neurons focusing on emotions and thinking is also a possible trigger. An imbalance of serotonin and noradrenaline is very common in patients with GAD, as these are responsible for mood regulation.
Aside from these intrinsic factors, traumas and stressful life experiences are also known to contribute to the development of GAD. Alcohol abuse, drugs and violence are also some of the factors that can trigger the disorder.
What can be done for Anxiety?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder does not have a cure but there are medications and treatments which help alleviate the dreaded symptoms. After diagnosis, specialists check all aspects before creating a treatment plan. As for severe cases, medications are given to patients when the disorder already affects activities of daily living.
Medications for GAD
The different types of medicines specific to GAD are:
- Benzodiazepines – sedative for severe cases of GAD and should not be taken for more than 4 weeks because of addiction
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – antidepressants that are safely taken for a long time as they increase serotonin levels in the brain. (Citalopram, Fluoxetine)
- Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) – antidepressants that increase serotonin and noradrenaline levels. (Duloxetine, Desvenlafaxine)
- Pregabalin – an anticonvulsant usually given to epileptic patients
Psychological Treatments for GAD
Aside from synthetic medications, GAD may also be treated with cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which targets physical symptoms and behavior. This is one of the most effective forms of psychological treatment. A positive outcome has also been observed with the Acceptance Commitment Therapy and mindfulness-based approaches.
These types of therapies help patients change their relationship with their GAD symptoms. These are very effective and help anyone burdened with GAD to understand the nature of their anxiety; to be stronger in the presence of anxiety, and be able to make independent choices amidst anxiety.
The Power of Psychological Treatments
Psychological treatments are as effective as medications. These just vary between different patients as GAD is a case-to-case basis. When you have CareClinic, it is easy to jot down the information you learn from your specialist. Once you have input your moods, symptoms, and triggers, that data will be stored in the app. On your next visit to the clinic, be sure to print a copy so that your doctor can accurately create treatment options for you.
Just like any other disorder, there is no one treatment. There is a combination of therapies and medications that will effectively help alleviate the symptoms of the disorder. GAD is a very exhausting and disappointing illness that is so real like Diabetes Mellitus and other severe disorders. It should not be taken lightly and for granted as it can affect your way of life by a great deal. Once the symptoms start to take place, be sure to record them in your wellness planner app and consult your doctor.
Managing Your Anxiety Disorder with the CareClinic App
Managing anxiety can be challenging, particularly when the daily routine includes remembering medication schedules and dosages. This additional burden can further impact a patient’s well-being.
Fortunately, CareClinic offers a solution with its mood-tracking feature. Patients can record their moods at various times during the day, providing valuable insights into potential triggers. Identifying these triggers is crucial, as they often contribute to mood-related disorders, anxiety, and depression.
By consistently monitoring mood patterns and identifying triggers, individuals can proactively manage their mental health. This empowers patients to make informed decisions about their treatment and lifestyle choices, ultimately improving their overall well-being.
In addition to mood tracking, CareClinic’s comprehensive platform offers various tools and features to help individuals take control of their health, making it a valuable resource for those dealing with anxiety and related conditions.
Unpacking Your Thoughts and Managing Medications
There is also a diary where you can input your thoughts or moods to help you “unpack” and lessen the burden of keeping everything in. This also makes anyone feel relaxed and better after jotting it down in the health tracker app. Recording moods will also help monitor your medication intake, especially the PRN ones. The medication tracker will send notifications so that you will not be stressed over a missed dose.
Aside from that, the mood tracker serves as a self-care technique in which you can take some cautionary steps on your own even if the doctor is away. The health journal also encourages you to have an in-depth understanding of your condition. Your doctor will also find this very helpful in preparing or adjusting treatment options.
CareClinic is more than just an anxiety disorder app. It is created to be part of your GAD journey. Every feature of this app makes you less worried and have a more relaxed and fruitful life ahead. Get started now by clicking the banner below.
