We have all been ‘stressed’ at some point or another about various upcoming events like deadlines at work or emotional upsets in our private life. Feeling stressed can be totally normal and has benefits such as the fight and flight response which can set in motion a physiological response to protect you from harm.
This stress response is particularly important in a life or death situation often experienced by our hunter-gatherer ancestors when being faced with a predator like a lion, these physiological changes such as a faster heart rate and increase glucose to the skeletal muscles enabled them to either run away or fight for survival.
This is an example of an acute stress response and once the threat is over, hormones involved in this response (ephedrine,dopamine and norephidrine) return to normal levels and we return to a state of rest.
In today’s modern age stress is often not that simple or fleeting, with the stress responses often becoming chronic and repetitive (high volume and stressful work load, upcoming deadlines or an abusive relationship where the stressor becomes chronic). Stress can motivate us to get up from the couch and sit down in front of our desk and get some urgent work done, but it can also trigger the chronic stress response called the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis, which causes chronically elevated levels of cortisol that floods your system and has adverse health effects.
For most people the stress response is fleeting and once the ‘threat’ has been dealt with, we can stop worrying. For people with GAD, the worry does not go away, and they feel stressed for prolonged periods of time without there always being a clear reason for their worry or concern.
Steadman’s medical dictionary defines anxiety as: “Vague uneasy feeling of discomfort or dread accompanied by an autonomic response (the source often non-specific or unknown to the individual); a feeling of apprehension caused by an anticipation of danger.”
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical manual 5th edition, an individual can be diagnosed with GAD if they have:
A. Excessive anxiety and worry, occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities,
B. The person finds it difficult to control the worry,
C. The anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of the following six symptoms:
The exact cause of anxiety is poorly understood, but scientists believe that there are various contributing factors such as a genetic predisposition to develop anxiety as well as environmental factors (which can be current conditions or a past traumatic experience).
The human genome project was completed in 2003 and has identified several genes that are believed to play a significant role in the development in GAD. These genetic markers include, but are not limited to:
1. Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) gene: The COMT gene is responsible for encoding the COMT enzyme which plays an important role in regulating dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. COMT Val158Met snippet plays a very important role in the way dopamine is metabolised. The Met/Met variant produces less of the COMT enzyme which translates to decreased metabolism of dopamine. Higher than normal dopamine levels are associated with increased anxiety and anxiety related disorders.
2. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF): Researches believe that this gene plays a role in the regulation of the stress response. The BDNF Val66Met snippet is believed to play a role in the stress response, individuals with decreased levels of BDNF in the cerebrospinal fluid are more likely to develop an anxiety related order following a psycho-social stress response.
Natural treatment protocols for the management of GAD:
4. Homeopathy: A carefully selected single similimum remedy that can mimic the symptoms associated with GAD, can treat the underlying cause without the harmful side effects of commonly prescribed anti-anxyolitics.
GAD is a serious mental health disorder that requires medical attention just like any other health condition. Treatment of GAD should be a holistic approach with a multidisciplinary approach as well as the necessary diet and lifestyle interventions to restore optimal health and mental well-being.
“It is time to tell everyone who is dealing with a mental health issue that they are not alone and that getting support is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.” -Michelle Obama-
DNAnalysis and genetic testing or Homeopathic consultations for GAD:
Dr. Chantell Groenewald (M. tech Hom UJ)
The Naturopathic Health are Center.
012 460 9216
Psychotherapy for GAD:
Kevin & Elise Fourie
Counselling Psychologists / Voorligtingsielkundiges
MA Counselling Psychology (Stell) // MA Voorligtingsielkunde (Stell)
Tel: (012) 348-7393 / 1342
Fax to mail: 0866 749 636
Elise: 082 600 5812
Kevin: 083 448 9436
*Disclaimer. This article in no way serves as a diagnosis or treatment for GAD, nor does it serve to replace a consultation with a registered health care professional. Opinions in this article are those of Dr. Chantell Groenewald based on her own research and professional training. Individuals who suspect they may be suffering from GAD should seek attention from a qualified practitioner before using any supplementations or therapy protocols mentioned in this article. GAD is a serious medical condition and requires profession health care.
Dr. Marike de Klerk
Sisi sote tumekuwa na'mkazo' wakati fulani au mwingine kuhusu matukio mbalimbali yanayokuja kama vile tarehe za mwisho kazini au matatizo ya kihisia katika maisha yetu ya kibinafsi. Kujisikia mkazo ni jambo la kawaida na kuna faida kama vile majibu ya kupigana na kukimbia ambayo yanaweza kuanzisha majibu ya kisaikolojia ya kukukinga na madhara. "Hii ni muhimu hasa katika hali ya maisha au kifo mara nyingi uzoefu na mababu zetu wawindaji-kukusanya wakati kukabiliwa na mnyama kama simba, mabadiliko haya ya kisaikolojia kama vile kasi ya moyo na kuongeza sukari kwa misuli ya mifupa iliwawezesha ""kukimbia au kupigana kwa ajili ya kuishi.""" Katika hali ya mkazo wa haraka, homoni zinazohusika katika majibu haya (ephedrine, dopamine na norephedrine) hurudi kwa viwango vya kawaida na tunarudi katika hali ya kupumzika. Katika siku za kisasa, mkazo mara nyingi si rahisi au wa muda mfupi, na majibu ya mkazo mara nyingi huwa ya muda mrefu na ya kurudia (kiasi cha juu na mzigo wa kazi wenye mkazo, tarehe za mwisho zinazokuja au uhusiano wa unyanyasaji ambapo mkazo unakuwa wa muda mrefu). Mkazo unaweza kutuhamasisha kuamka kutoka kwenye sofa na kukaa mbele ya dawati letu na kupata kazi fulani ya haraka kufanyika, lakini pia inaweza kusababisha majibu ya mkazo wa muda mrefu inayoitwa hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, ambayo husababisha viwango vya juu vya cortisol ambayo hufurika mfumo wako na ina athari mbaya kwa afya. Kwa watu wengi majibu ya mkazo ni ya muda mfupi na mara moja "tisho" limeshughulikiwa, tunaweza kuacha kuwa na wasiwasi. Kwa watu wenye GAD, wasiwasi haupo, na wanahisi mkazo kwa muda mrefu bila kuwa na sababu ya wazi ya wasiwasi wao. "Kichwa cha maneno cha matibabu cha Steadman kinafafanua wasiwasi kama ""hisia isiyo ya kawaida ya wasiwasi au hofu iliyoambatana na majibu ya kipekee (chanzo mara nyingi sio maalum au haijulikani kwa mtu binafsi) hisia ya wasiwasi inayosababishwa na kutarajia hatari.""" (B) wasiwasi wa kupita kiasi, unaotokea siku nyingi kuliko sio kwa angalau miezi sita, kuhusu matukio au shughuli kadhaa. "Hii ni kwa sababu ya wasiwasi wa ""mwili"" na ""mwili"" unaoweza kuathiri athari za wasiwasi, na kwa sababu ya sababu za wasiwasi, kama vile tabia ya maumbile ya kuendeleza wasiwasi, na sababu za mazingira (ambazo zinaweza kuwa hali ya sasa au uzoefu wa zamani wa kuumiza)." Mradi wa genome ya binadamu ulikamilika mnamo 2003 na imegundua jeni kadhaa ambazo zinaaminika kuwa zina jukumu muhimu katika maendeleo ya GAD. Vipimo vya maumbile ni pamoja na, lakini si mdogo kwa: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) - ni chembe ya urithi inayohusika katika kuunda enzyme ya CONT, ambayo huongoza katika kuendesha viwango vya dopamine katika cortex ya mbele ya ubongo. Vipimo vya VAL158met na VAL158met vina jukumu muhimu katika njia ya metabolism ya dopamine. Met-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl-methyl. Viwango vya juu kuliko kawaida vya dopamine vinahusishwa na kuongezeka kwa wasiwasi na matatizo yanayohusiana na wasiwasi. 2. Uwezekano wa kupata Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) ni chembe ya urithi inayohusika katika kudhibiti majibu ya mkazo. "Kama vile ""BDNF Val66-Met"" inaonekana kuwa na athari kwa majibu ya mkazo, watu walio na viwango vya chini vya BDNF katika maji ya cerebrospinal wana uwezekano mkubwa wa kuendeleza wasiwasi unaohusiana na majibu ya mkazo wa kisaikolojia." Mapendekezo ya matibabu ya asili ya matibabu ya GAD Homeopathy: Ni dawa ya homonimu iliyochaguliwa kwa uangalifu ambayo inaweza kuiga dalili zinazohusiana na GAD, inaweza kutibu sababu ya msingi bila athari mbaya za athari za kawaida za anti-anxiolytics. GAD ni ugonjwa wa akili mbaya ambao unahitaji matibabu kama hali nyingine yoyote ya afya. Matibabu ya GAD inapaswa kuwa mbinu ya jumla na mbinu ya taaluma nyingi na pia uingiliaji wa lishe na mtindo wa maisha muhimu ili kurudisha afya bora na ustawi wa akili. "Wakati umefika wa kuwaambia watu wote wanaoshughulika na matatizo ya akili kwamba hawapo peke yao na kwamba kupata msaada si ishara ya udhaifu bali ni ishara ya nguvu."" - Michelle Obama - DNA Analysis and Genetic Testing or Homeopathic Consultations for GAD: Dr. Chantel Groenewald (M. Tech Hom) The Naturopathic Health are Center" "Kama ""Mwanamke"" wa Kihispania, Kevin na Elise Fourie, wataalamu wa kisaikolojia wa ushauri, ""Mwanamke"" wa Kihispania, Kevin na Elise Fourie, wataalamu wa kisaikolojia, ""Mwanamke"" wa Kihispania, Kevin na Elise Fourie, wataalamu wa kisaikolojia, ""Mwanamke"" wa Kihispania, Kevin na Elise." Makala hii haitumiki kama utambuzi au matibabu ya GAD, wala haitumiki kuchukua nafasi ya ushauri na mtaalamu wa huduma za afya. Maoni katika makala hii ni yale ya Dakt. Chantell Groenewald kulingana na utafiti wake mwenyewe na mafunzo ya kitaaluma. Watu wanaodhani kuwa wana ugonjwa wa GAD wanapaswa kutafuta ushauri wa daktari kabla ya kutumia dawa yoyote au matibabu yaliyotajwa katika makala hii. GAD ni hali mbaya ya matibabu na inahitaji huduma ya afya ya kitaaluma. Dr. Marieke de Klerk