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We're talking about mental wellness issues this week on Healthwatch. All of us worry about something at one time or another, but some people can be paralyzed by worry or experience serious physical symptoms. Psychiatrists call this excessive and persistent worry about everyday events generalized anxiety disorder. People with this disorder expect the worst outcome from routine events and spend most of their time worrying. Because of this, they may suffer from headaches, nausea, restlessness, muscle tension and insomnia.

Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, a psychiatrist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says physical symptoms can be as severe as heart palpitations, hot flashes, ringing in the ears and tremors. Generalized anxiety disorder may be treated with medication, psychotherapy or a combination. Doctors at UT Southwestern are taking part in a study testing a new medication for this disorder.

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^{June 2005}

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