F. The disturbance is not due to the direct effect of a substance, medication, or general medical condition, and does not occur only during the course of a mood disorder, a psychotic disorder, or a pervasive development disorder. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders "IV", 1994).

             One case study of a patient diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, is a young person whom I'll call Sarah. Sarah has been feeling emotionally tense, scared, constantly on edge, and jittery inside. Cognitively, Sarah worries that something terrible is going to happen but doesn't know what it is. She says that she is frightened but doesn't know why. She can't put her finger on what exactly is making her so scared. Physically, Sarah has experienced headaches, nausea, stomach pains, heart races, and periods of feeling cold or hot with sweats. She states she wants to go to sleep and not wake up or she wants to run away but can't express what from. .

             Treatment for generalized anxiety disorder is varied and a number of approaches work equally well (Mental Health, 1998). Usually the most effective manner of treatment is to incorporate both psychopharmacological and psychological approaches. The models used in Sarah's treatment were biomedical, cognitive and behavior. The approach of the multi-modal therapy plan has worked well for Sarah. .

             Biomedical therapy is medication. After careful consideration of the medications available for treatment of GAD, Sarah was given BuSpar (buspirone HC1, USP). BuSpar works differently than other anti-anxiety medications with fewer side effects. If side effects do occur, they are usually mild and often decrease or disappear as treatment continues. The more commonly observed side effects are dizziness, nausea, headache, nervousness, lightheadedness, drowsiness and excitement. There seems to be no potential for abuse, dependency, or withdrawal syndrome when therapy is discontinued.