Generalized
Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Most people experience anxiety on and off throughout the course
of their lives. Those who suffer with generalized anxiety
disorder, however, do so on a day to day basis. Their anxiety
becomes chronic and fills their lives with exaggerated worry
and tension, even though the subject they are worrying about
doesn’t logically warrant it.
Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder are always anticipating
doom, disaster, and the worst-case scenarios. They worry about
their health, money, family, work, and the world in general.
Their reason for worry is often hard to pinpoint. Even the
thought of getting through another day can bring on anxiety.
Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder
feel that they can’t stop worrying, even though they know the subject
they are worrying about isn’t that serious.
Those who experience generalized anxiety disorder commonly
experience accompanying symptoms, such as acute or chronic
fatigue; headaches; muscle tension, stiffness, and even debilitating
pain; general aches and pains; difficulty swallowing or feeling
like there is something stuck in their throat; trembling; uncontrollable
twitching; irritability; hot and cold flashes; profuse sweating
for no apparent reason; and lightheadedness or dizziness. They
can experience many or all of the symptoms common for anxiety.
(View our Anxiety Symptoms section for symptoms commonly associated
with anxiety.)
Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder
feel they can’t
relax and think that they always have to be on alert for danger.
Worry has become their protection mechanism. They often startle
more easily than others and have difficulty concentrating.
Many also feel persistently joyless, frustrated, and frequently
depressed. Their sleep patterns can also become regularly disrupted
with their inability to sleep becoming yet another reason for
worry and concern.
Many with generalized anxiety disorder
appear fine on the surface, seem to go about their day normally,
may seem calm and relaxed, or may be perceived as the last
person to have an anxiety problem. It’s their internal
life (thoughts, beliefs, and emotions), however, that undergoes
intense and persistent turmoil.
Generalized anxiety disorder affects about 6% of the population
and affects twice as many women as it does men. The disorder
usually comes on gradually and can begin at any age, though
the onset of it is more frequent between childhood and middle
age. Those who experience incessant worry for six months or
more are typically diagnosed as having generalized anxiety
disorder.
Generalized anxiety disorder often co-occurs with other disorders
such as depression or substance abuse.
Generalized anxiety disorder can be successfully resolved.
Anyone can do it with the right information, help, and support.
For more information on Anxiety
Disorders.
For more information on Anxiety
Symptoms.
For more information on Anxiety
Attacks.
For more information on Anxiety.
If you are struggling with generalized anxiety disorder,
we encourage you to take steps to overcome it. You don’t
have to suffer needlessly. You can regain your normal life.
With today’s new treatments, such as the information
in the members area of our website combined with Personal
Coaching/Counselling/Therapy, you can overcome generalized
anxiety disorder. |
