Both GAD and PTSD are categorized under anxiety disorders; anxiety disorders are the most widespread mental health conditions (Warshaw et.al, 1993). Although they are not easily recognized, they can have a disabling effect on the individual suffering. Unlike other mental health conditions, the diagnosis of anxiety disorders is revised continually. In the United States, at least 13 percent of the population suffers from an anxiety disorder. These people constitute the highest number of those suffering from any other mental health condition.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder affects at least three percent of the United States population. It is characterized by excessive and a persistent worry over a variety of things. People suffering from this anxiety disorder have a difficult time controlling their worry. They worry about everything even those that do not need worrying, expecting the worse for no reason.
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Similarly, PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder caused by extremely stressful and challenging events. An individual with PTSD most often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks. Due to this, the individual is prone to isolation, guilt and easy irritability. The rate of PTSD in the United States is at least seven percent of the population.
A person who has suffered a traumatic disorder is likely to experience anxiety, the question that remains is whether or not the anxiety is a natural reaction or a developing disorder. Identifying the exact type of disorder is a fundamental element to help the individual recover. Post-traumatic stress and generalized anxiety disorders are the common anxiety disorders suffered in such a situation (Warshaw et.al, 1993). However, there are common misunderstandings in differencing between the two conditions. Understanding the differences is important for the individual suffering and the person diagnosing them.
Causes
GAD
As with numerous mental health conditions, the exact cause of generalized anxiety disorder is not a fully understood field. However, one of the risks that expose an individual to generalized anxiety disorder includes a family history of anxiety. Genetics play a role in the issue of mental health, family history has continually played a role in the diagnosis of most anxiety disorders GAD included(National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2011). Another risk factor which exposes one to generalized anxiety disorder is if the individual had prolonged exposure to stressful situations. Personal and family related situations are among those that cause extreme stress to the individual hence putting them at more risk of GAD.
Other risk factors may include childhood abuse. Childhood abuse exposes one to many mental health conditions, especially when the individual has not dealt with the pain and stress resulting from it in his or her adulthood. Childhood abuse allows the person to have fears and difficulty engaging in social situations. At the same time, excessive use of caffeine and tobacco potentially put the body at a risk of making the anxiety worse.
PTSD
Similar to victims of generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD affects people exposed to extremely stressful events. There is no one particular cause of PTSD; the cause is a combination of different reasons. Like, generalized anxiety disorder, exposure to PTSD is dependent on family history. Inherited mental health issues such as anxiety and depression put one at PTSD risk. Another genetic issue that exposes one to PTSD is inherited features that is,one's temperament. According to National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2005, certain temperaments are more prone to PTSD than others, a person’s personality could be a risk factor for PTSD. Another cause or risk factor is the ability of an individual’s brain to regulate chemicals and hormones released within the body to deal with stress. In stressful situations, the body releases hormones and chemicals that help the body cope with the stressful situation. Depending on how an individual regulates these chemicals, exposure to mental health conditions such as PTSD is determined.
Symptoms
GAD
According to National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2011, the major symptom of generalized anxiety disorder is aworry, the worry experienced here is most often out of proportion to the situation. The worry involves everyday issues with different concerns every time. For the person affected, controlling the worries is difficult which then leads to reduced social functioning. At the same time, generalized anxiety disorder shows psychological symptoms which include easy irritability, low concentration and an increased sensitivity to noise. With the worry and the psychological reasons, the individual has difficulties falling asleep.
Apart from the psychological symptoms, the individual experiences somatic symptoms, these symptoms vary from person to person. These symptoms include an intense autonomic nervous system which leads to dry mouth, sweating, urinary infections frequent bowel motions among others. The individual could also experience hyperventilation which is characterized by a shortness of breath and in some cases dizziness. Other somatic symptoms include muscle tension, headaches, inability to relax and restlessness.
PTSD
According to National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2005, with PTSD, the common symptom is the individual relives the traumatic event involuntarily. Most of the aspects of the event remain vivid in a stressful way in the mind of the person in such a way that relieving them feels like he or she is experiencing the situation again. The symptoms manifest as nightmares, flashbacks of distressing images. These nightmares and flashbacks provoke intense stress, anxiety, and extreme psychological reactions. With this, another symptom of PTSD is the individual actively avoids situations and activities that remind him or her of the traumatic event. These could include people, events, and circumstances that remotely resemble the trauma.
While some individuals push these memories away, others engage in asking questions to find out what they could have done in a different way to avoid the trauma. They become hyper vigilant to athreat even in situations that do not necessarily pose any threat. They are easily irritable have difficulty sleeping and maintaining concentration. At the same time, some may experience an inability to feel hence detaching themselves from people; they become socially isolated. They lose interest in previously enjoyed activities, have a sense of shame and feelings of guilt.
Treatment
Both generalized anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders are diagnosed through a physical examination, psychological evaluation and with the use of the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5. The doctor checks for physical medical problems that could be causing the symptoms(Warshaw et.al, 1993). The psychological evaluation includes questions on family history, a discussion of the signs and symptoms and the events that led up to them.
GAD
Generalized anxiety disorder is treatedwith cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. The therapy involves one on one therapy with a mental health professional with the goal of changing the individual’s way of thinking and behavior. The approach has been effective in helping people cope with the anxiety and sometimes has led to permanent change(National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2011). The therapist helps the individual recognize the anxious thoughts and develop ways control them. Medication helps deal with some of the symptoms; it could be short term or long term depending on the intensity of the anxiety.
PTSD
Similarly, PTSD is treated through psychotherapy and medication. With similar goals to those of the generalized anxiety disorder cognitive therapy, PTSD patients can undergo cognitive therapy to help cope. Exposure therapy helps the individual face the frightening experience in a safe environment allowing him, or sheunderstands that the event can no longer cause physical harm(National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2005). Medication helps deal with symptoms such as depression; antidepressantshelp symptoms. Anti-anxiety medications assist the affected person deal with the anxiety accompanying the PTSD.
Conclusion
While they can occur concurrently, both anxiety disorders can be told apart. The key difference between them is in the way in which they take place in a person. While each disorder can severely impact an individual’s life, it is important to point out that they can be treated with the use of therapy and medication or a combination of both. Early treatment is important, talking to a mental health professional is crucial for an individual at risk of either of them.
References
National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK. (2005). Post-traumatic stress disorder: The management of PTSD in adults and children in primary and secondary care . Gaskell.
National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK. (2011). Generalized anxiety disorder in adults: management in primary, secondary and community care. British Psychological Society.
Warshaw, M. G., Fierman, E., Pratt, L., Hunt, M., Yonkers, K. A., Massion, A. O., & Keller, M. B. (1993). Quality of life and dissociation in anxiety disorder patients with histories of trauma or PTSD. American Journal of Psychiatry , 150 , 1512-1512.
