The screening takes only a few minutes but the results can be a valuable tool for mental-health professionals who seek the proper treatment for their clients.
The GAD-7 screening is fairly new to The Center for Counseling & Consultation, 5815 Broadway. GAD stands for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and 7 refers to the number of most common symptoms, explained Gail Sullivan, The Center’s clinical director, who helped implement the training for screenings here.
“GAD results in overwhelming anxiety, fear and uncertainty,” Sullivan said. “It is common to experience mild anxiety caused by stress. But those with anxiety disorders experience symptoms that are out of proportion to any actual danger or persist for significant periods of time.”
The most common symptoms are: feeling restless, wound-up or on edge; being easily fatigued; difficulty in concentrating; irritability; aches in the head, muscles or stomach, or unexplained pain; difficulty controlling feelings of worry; and sleep problems.
“The screening is designed to identify the presence of these symptoms,” Sullivan said. “Anxiety is the most common psychiatric disorder, which affects millions of adults. But it is often overlooked in a clinical assessment.
“Anxiety disorders can become progressively worse if not treated,” she added.
The Center will include the GAD-7 screen as part of intake assessments; it can be taken every six months to record progress. The screening form is available online and can be easily downloaded at no charge. It can be self-administered and easily scored to determine if symptoms are mild, moderate or severe.
“In the moderate or severe range, a person could visit with a mental-health provider to discuss what is creating or contributing to the anxiety,” Sullivan noted. “Clients also can learn skills to manage symptoms so they do not escalate.
“Treatment for anxiety, which can include cognitive behavioral therapy, can improve the management of symptoms and allow you to live a fuller life.”
Depression
Mary Griswold, nurse practitioner at The Center, echoed many of Sullivan’s comments about anxiety but also shared information about depression in observance of National Depression & Health Screening Month.
“There are many types of depression with a variety of symptoms,” Griswold said. “The signs that occur most of the day for at least two consecutive weeks may indicate an individual is suffering from depression.”
Symptoms include: persistent anxious or empty mood; feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, irritability, frustration, restlessness, guilt and worthlessness; loss of interest in activities; decreased energy; difficulty in concentrating, making decisions and sleeping; changes in appetite; thoughts of death and suicide; and aches and pains with no clear physical cause.
“Depression can cause severe symptoms that affect how you handle daily activities, while Generalized Anxiety Disorder is more than just normal worrying; it can be life-changing,” Griswold noted. “Those with GAD always expect disaster and can’t stop worrying about health, money, family, work or school.
“Both of these conditions are treatable and can help improve quality of life,” the nurse practitioner added. “Most people benefit from therapy and not everyone needs medication for depression and/or anxiety.”
When medication is prescribed, Griswold monitors clients for changes in symptoms.
The Center for Counseling & Consultation is a Community Mental Health Center serving Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.
