Exercise as it relates to Disease/Improvements in general anxiety disorder symptoms with physical activity

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a form of anxiety disorder in which sufferers experience excessive and unnecessary anxiety and worry about regular occurrences in everyday life. In Australia, GAD affects approximately 3-6% of the population and is most common during mid-life. The onset of GAD can be genetic or caused by prolonged stress or a traumatic experience.Hunt C DSM-IV Generalized Anxiety Disorder in the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=109455 Psychological Medicine Journal Saturday 20 October 2012 Symptoms Symptoms of anxiety can be classified as either mental (affecting the psyche) or somatic (affecting the body but excluding the psyche). Mental symptoms can be categorised as apprehension and vigilance, whilst somatic symptoms can be categorised as either motor-based or exaggerated physiological responses. Category (Mental or Somatic) Associated Symptoms Mental: Apprehension Excessive worry Fear Agitation Mental: Vigilance Difficulty concentrating Irritability Fidgeting Somatic: Motor-based Muscle tension Restlessness Somatic: Exaggerated Physiological Responses Accelerated heart and sweat rate Breathing difficulties Headaches Dizziness Fatigue InsomniaBrown T.A Generalised Anxiety Disorder http://commonweb.unifr.ch/artsdean/pub/gestens/f/as/files/4660/21992_121827.pdf Clinical Handbook of Psychological Disorders, Third Edition: A Step-by-Step Treatment Manual 20/10/2012 In order to meet diagnostic criteria for GAD, patients must suffer from persistent and uncontrollable apprehension, and the consequential somatic responses, for at least six months.Kessler R.C Patterns and Correlates of Generalised Anxiety Disorder in Community Samples http://psylux.psych.tu-dresden.de/i2/klinische/studium/literatur/587.pdf 20/10/2012 Common Treatments Common treatments for GAD include: Pharmacotherapy Cognitive behaviour therapy Hypnotherapy Sharma Renu Hypononsis: Psycho-philosophical Perspectives and Therapeutic Evidence 2011 Concept Publishing Company New Dehli 13-978-81-8069-727-2 207–211 Dietary modifications (elimination of caffeine and alcohol) Exercise can be used in conjunction with these treatments to help minimise the symptoms of GAD. Barriers to Exercise or Physical Activity There are several factors that dictate the likelihood of a GAD patient adhering to an exercise regime: Interest in the activity Perception of physical activity and exercise (i.e. incidental physical activity) Motivation Fatigue Low self-esteem Mind control Exercise Recommendations Further reading References