Role of Primary Care Physician in Management of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

Individual survival would be impossible without anxiety, which is a natural and important emotion. Anxiety is considered a disease that requires treatment when it occurs in the absence of a threat, or in a disproportionate proportion to a threat, as well as when it prevents the affected individual from leading a normal life. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a widespread mental disorder characterized by excessive and difficult-to-control anxiety and concerns. as well as a variety of psychological and physical symptoms. Patients with GAD frequently visit primary care, and it is widely acknowledged that the majority of patients should be treated in this environment. Clinical practice guidelines advocate pharmacological (e.g., SSRIs and venlafaxine) or cognitive behavior therapy as first-line therapies for GAD. There are several proposed etiological explanations for GAD, including Freud's psychoanalytic theory, Stack's interpersonal theory, and the Stress Diathesis Model. The exact pathophysiological process of the disease is not fully understood. Patients with GAD frequently visit primary care, and it is widely acknowledged that the majority of patients should be treated in this environment. Clinical practice guidelines advocate pharmacological (e.g., SSRIs and venlafaxine) or cognitive behavior therapy as first-line therapies for GAD. In this article, we’ll be discussing GAD epidemiology, etiology, evaluation, and treatment.