If you find yourself worrying about things thatare unlikely to happen or you tend to feel anxious, tense or worried all day long when there is really no reason to, then you may well be showing a few of the symptoms of GAD.
Everyone has worries, fears and concerns about certain aspects of our lives but if your anxiety is so constant that it has started to get in the way of your normal life,stopping you from relaxing and stopping you from carrying on normally then you may have GAD.
GAD is a fairly common problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It tends to show itself as constant, chronic worrying or anxiety,general tension and nervousness with sufferers finding it very difficult to relax and switch off.
If you are suffering from generalized anxiety disorder your fear is not related to a specific thing, occasion or event. You will feel anxious nearly all the time and your anxiety will influence every part of your life. The feeling is ,however, no where near as intense as, for example, a panic attack but instead is a long lasting feeling of anxiety that makes normal life impossible.
The condition is both physically and emotionally exhausting, sapping your energy, destroying any sense of feeling good and generally wearing you down. You will probably worry about exactly the same things as other people such as family, health, work and money but your worrying will be exaggerated out of all proportion.
Your worries will constantly repeat in your head, you won’t be able to switch them off.
People with GAD will go through their days in a constant state of anxiety, imagining the worst possible outcome for every situation even when there is no logical reason for their worries.
Being worried or concerned about things is a perfectly normal aspect of our lives but it is when worry gets out of hand and starts to interfere with normal life that it becomes a problem. Excessive worrying, irrational and intrusive thoughts that keep popping into your head are symptoms of Generalized Anxiety. The anxiety can become debilitating actually preventing you from finding a solution.
The symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can vary from hour to hour and day to day. You will experience bad days and good days, you might find that anxiety is worse in the morning while others may find that late at night will be the worst time for anxiety. Generally, not everyone experiences the same symptoms but most people with GAD have some or all of these symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
Problems and worries continuously running through your head. Intrusive, irrational thoughts with anxiety appearing in your head at any time.
Not being able to cope with doubt and uncertainty, a need to know exactly what is going to happen in the future.
A sense that your anxiety is out of control, that you can’t stop yourself from worrying.
An all encompassing feeling of fear or apprehension.
Feeling tense at all times with muscle pain from the tension.
Difficulty sleeping, staying asleep or falling asleep.
Unable to relax, as if your mind won’t switch off.
Can’t enjoy being alone.
You put things off because you feel completely overwhelmed by everything and avoid social gatherings where you may feel anxiety.
You have trouble concentrating on things.
You feel nervous and edgy a lot, jumping at sudden noises.
You may begin to suffer stomach problems, diarrhoea and sickness.
It is always worth getting a medical diagnosis and getting yourself checked over. Generally speaking, if you have tended to be a nervous person or be anxious in the past you could well have developed GAD but similar symptoms are also caused by other medical conditions and medication
General Anxiety Disorder can be treated successfully and people go on to make a full recovery!.
It is a little difficult to identify the symptoms of GAD as many people have the tendency to become anxious for smaller things. In your day to day life you may not realize that you are over reacting to a situation. But it becomes obvious to the people who are in contact with you for much time of the day. So its for the friends to identify these symptoms and take help pf a doctor to help the patient.
I have suffered from panic and anxiety for over twenty years and GAD has been a bit easier to take care of than my panic attacks. For GAD, I find meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and diet all help to reduce anxiety levels. For me, limiting caffeine and sugar is also a big help. I also take zoloft.
I purchased the “Panic Away” program about three weeks ago. I have had an anxiety disorder for a little over twenty years, but I was sceptical, having tried other therapies and programs. But I watched the video and read the book and followed the strategies best I could, and I can honestly say that I see a great improvement in my anxiety and panic symptoms. The exposure techniques presented in this program really work. Yes, it is uncomfortable to face your fears, but each time the fear is reduced. I am glad such a program exists.