This website was created to discuss Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) through different anthropological approaches which are identified on each page of this site. After getting a taste of the various approaches hopefully one will understand the importance of medical anthropology when studying health and illness, as well as better understand GAD.
I chose Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) because it hits close to home. Both my grandmother and my oldest sister, Lauren, suffer from GAD. I remember my sister's first panic attack; she could not stop crying and was so worried for no apparent reason. I was so confused as to how she could be so upset over nothing. After similar episodes she was finally diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety disorder. My grandmother and Lauren are not alone approximately 6.8 million Americans have GAD and that number is only growing (NIMH).
Generalized Anxiety disorder is clinically defined by WebMd as: "a condition where the patient experiences excessive, unrealistic worry and tension even if there is little or nothing to provoke the anxiety" (WebMD).
A person suffering from GAD may experience a multitude of symptoms including night sweats, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dry mouth, and dizziness. All of which affect a person's ability to live a normal life. GAD results from a combination of factors including genetic, environmental, psychological and cultural. Many however immediately turn to the biological and genetic factors when studying an illness, when the non-medical factors such as culture, environment and economic status are just as important to consider. This is where the study of anthropology comes into play. Anthropologists when studying an illness such as GAD may take a different approach when examining a patient looking at cultural rituals, environment, and socioeconomic status, this differs from most medical professionals whom are more focused on the results from various bodily tests and procedures. For example the fact that almost 3.1% of Americans are affected with GAD could be due to genetic factors, however, it would be foolish to ignore Western culture as a contributor to the disorder; Americans are under a ton of stress with our fast paced lifestyle which is only getting faster with the invention of new technology.
When treating Generalized Anxiety disorder there are generally three different approaches; psychotherapy, medication, or both. For mild cases psychotherapy is a more natural option where the patient learns different techniques to cope with the constant worry. Depending on the severity medication such as anti-anxiety or even anti-depressents may be prescribed as necessary (NIMH). Hopefully with the help of anthropology each patient can find the treatment or therapy that fits best for their lifestyle. My sister having a more moderate case of GAD takes a low dosage of anti-anxiety medications to get her through the day but each and every person and situation differs that is why it's important for medical professionals to take into account the non-medical factors that play a role in illnesses such as Generalized Anxiety disorder.
Generalized Anxiety disorder is clinically defined by WebMd as: "a condition where the patient experiences excessive, unrealistic worry and tension even if there is little or nothing to provoke the anxiety" (WebMD).
A person suffering from GAD may experience a multitude of symptoms including night sweats, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dry mouth, and dizziness. All of which affect a person's ability to live a normal life. GAD results from a combination of factors including genetic, environmental, psychological and cultural. Many however immediately turn to the biological and genetic factors when studying an illness, when the non-medical factors such as culture, environment and economic status are just as important to consider. This is where the study of anthropology comes into play. Anthropologists when studying an illness such as GAD may take a different approach when examining a patient looking at cultural rituals, environment, and socioeconomic status, this differs from most medical professionals whom are more focused on the results from various bodily tests and procedures. For example the fact that almost 3.1% of Americans are affected with GAD could be due to genetic factors, however, it would be foolish to ignore Western culture as a contributor to the disorder; Americans are under a ton of stress with our fast paced lifestyle which is only getting faster with the invention of new technology.
When treating Generalized Anxiety disorder there are generally three different approaches; psychotherapy, medication, or both. For mild cases psychotherapy is a more natural option where the patient learns different techniques to cope with the constant worry. Depending on the severity medication such as anti-anxiety or even anti-depressents may be prescribed as necessary (NIMH). Hopefully with the help of anthropology each patient can find the treatment or therapy that fits best for their lifestyle. My sister having a more moderate case of GAD takes a low dosage of anti-anxiety medications to get her through the day but each and every person and situation differs that is why it's important for medical professionals to take into account the non-medical factors that play a role in illnesses such as Generalized Anxiety disorder.
Bibliography
NIMH, "Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)." Accessed August 9, 2013. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml#part6
WebMD, "Anxiety and Panic Disorders Health Center." Accessed August 9, 2013. http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders
WebMD, "Anxiety and Panic Disorders Health Center." Accessed August 9, 2013. http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders