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Many of us with invisible illnesses also suffer from anxiety disorders. They are “overlap” syndromes that are probably also related to neurotransmitter derangements. The Johns Hopkins site above is an excellent resource!…Dr. Don

Spinning Out of Control With GAD

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, recurrent, and prolonged anxiety and worrying. People with generalized anxiety disorder typically agonize over everyday concerns, such as job responsibilities, finances, health, or family well-being or even such minor matters as household chores, car repairs, being late for appointments, or personal appearance. The focus of anxiety may shift frequently from one concern to another, and sensations may vary from mild tension and nervousness to feelings of dread.

Generalized anxiety disorder affects 6.8 million adults (3.1% of adult Americans) each year. Although people with generalized anxiety disorder know that the intensity, duration, and frequency of their anxiety and worry are out of proportion to the actual likelihood or impact of the feared event, they still have difficulty controlling their emotions.

Perpetual anxiety may impair concentration, memory, and decision-making ability, decrease attention span, and lead to a loss of confidence. Normal activities, such as working, socializing with friends, and maintaining intimate relationships, may become difficult or even impossible.

Generalized anxiety disorder may also produce a range of physical symptoms, including heart palpitations, restlessness, sweating, headaches, and nausea. Some generalized anxiety disorder sufferers, not realizing that generalized anxiety disorder is a treatable illness, become accustomed to their condition and assume that it is normal to feel on edge all the time. But the constant anxiety can lead to alcohol or drug abuse. The physical symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, along with alcohol or drug abuse, are often what finally compel a person to seek treatment.

Despite its more chronic course, generalized anxiety disorder responds better to treatment than does panic disorder. Psychotherapy helps many people, either by itself or in combination with medication. In addition, relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or meditation, may relieve symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.

The antidepressant medications duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), Paxil, and Effexor are FDA approved for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, but other serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs, tricyclics, benzodiazepines, and BuSpar are also commonly used to treat generalized anxiety disorder.

The Johns Hopkins Depression and Anxiety Bulletin For readers interested in acquiring even more in-depth information and guidance for treating depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, Karen L. Swartz, Director of Clinical Programs at the Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Center writes our Depression and Anxiety Bulletin. In each issue of this quarterly report, you’ll read about late-breaking developments for treating mood disorders, first-hand reports from leading medical conferences around the world, news of treatment breakthroughs, in-depth reports on important topics in psychotherapy, as well as answers to your questions about living with and treating mood disorders.

We have known for a good while that there are many symptom overlaps between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Many aspects of  Gulf War Illness seem to fit with aspects of CFS and FMS as well.

Interesting research just completed at Georgetown University reveals that there are proteins found in the CFS (cerebrospinal fluid) of patients with theses disorders that are unique to these illnesses and “overlap in these 3 “syndromes” as well.

Add to this recent research pinpointing around 20 genetic variations occurring in patients with FMS, CFS, and GWI  and what do we have….

Healthy Confusion!!!

What I mean by this is that when research creates more questions than it answers we know we are making progress! Researchers are digging deep, creating theories, wanting answers.

We know that these illnesses have genetic components and predispositions. We know that there are abnormal levels of neurotransmitters and other central nervous system proteins in those of us who have these “syndromes”.

These
overlaps make us wonder… “do these various ‘invisible illnesses’ perhaps have one, common and fundamental abnormality and, perhaps a basic…..cause?”

This is not unlike what has happened in physics in recent history. All kinds of related discoveries have been made and advances embraced. But disparate findings have led physicists to ask….

Is there just ONE theory, one basic underpinning, that explains all these findings? A…

Grand Unified Theory

Well, there is not one for physics at this point and there is not one for our “invisible illnesses”. Yet the fact that so much research is now being done is great news.

Perhaps we will find a “unified theory”- a commonly shared genetic or biochemical abnormality that will produce a focused, targeted treatment.

Until then we try new treatments as they become available and should be grateful that research continues to confirm that “invisible illnesses” should not be invisible after all!