Pay Attention: Watch Out For How General Anxiety Symptoms Is Taking Over And What To Do About It
What Are General Anxiety Symptoms?
Everyone feels anxious at times and there are usually good reasons to be worried. However, if a person's anxiety becomes persistent and excessive it could be a sign of GAD.
If anxiety is causing you or a family member distress or affecting your life, speak to your GP.
1. Stressing out too much
An anxiety disorder can be diagnosed if you experience constant, excessive worry and nervousness. This is because it may be difficult to control, or cause daily activities to be disrupted. Consult your physician in case you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
If you suffer from GAD, your thoughts are always focused on worries and expectations that are out of proportion to the circumstances. This can include "what-if" worries about future scenarios, self-criticism or a belief in the possibility of misfortune being contagious. You also might have a hard time relaxing or sleeping.
GAD can lead to feeling like you are on edge and fatigued easily or having trouble concentrating, muscle tension or headaches. It is possible to experience an upset stomach, a lump in the throat, heart palpitations, or a dry mouth. You may even feel dizzy or experience sensations of tingling and numbness in your fingers or toes.
GAD symptoms are influenced genetically, by life events and experiences such as childhood trauma and chronic stresses. Certain medications can increase the risk of anxiety, too. GAD can start in adolescence or childhood and is most often triggered following a period of extreme stress or traumatic event.
It is essential to seek assistance if you exhibit signs of generalized anxiety disorder such as:
Discuss with your doctor for any other health problems that could contribute to your stress. Have a thorough physical exam, and your doctor may order blood work to check for medical causes of your anxiety. GAD is treatable and there are many treatments, including medication and psychotherapy. While medications can temporarily relieve anxiety but therapy is the most effective method of learning to manage anxiety. Talking to your family and close friends can help cope with anxiety-related symptoms. Exercise releases chemicals that help calm you down. You can also talk to your doctor about strategies for stress management and techniques that can help reduce anxiety.
2. Panic attacks
During a panic episode, your body produces high levels of stress hormones which cause your heart rate to increase and your blood pressure level to rise. You feel frightened even though the threat isn't actually there. There are other symptoms like chest pain and breathing difficulties, which could cause you to believe that you're suffering from a heart attack. If you experience these symptoms, see an GP immediately. They can check on your health and test for any other medical conditions, such as lung or thyroid problems.
Panic attacks can occur at any time and without a reason. They may also be frequent or linked to certain situations. You might have a panic attack when flying or visiting the dentist. Anxiety disorders increase the risk of panic attacks. A single episode of anxiety or panic is not enough to diagnose an individual.
Some people experience an isolated panic attack that lasts for a few minutes, but doesn't come back. But many have panic attacks that happen repeatedly, often without any apparent cause. The medical term for this is panic disorder. It's among the most treatable types of anxiety disorders. Medications and a form of talk therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy) can help.
Panic disorders are more common in females than males, and typically begin in young adulthood. They can be experienced by anyone of any age. Children and adolescents who have recurrent panic attacks or anxiety should be seen by a family physician or pediatrician. They might be referred to psychiatrists for children and adolescents to conduct an evaluation.
A psychiatric evaluation is a crucial method of diagnosing anxiety disorders. A therapist can provide you with strategies to manage your symptoms, for instance, the ability to calm yourself during a panic attack. They can also help you confront the negative thoughts and beliefs that cause you to feel anxious. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. It teaches how to change your perception of stressful situations and events to make you are more grounded.
3. Feelings of dread or fear
Dread is a feeling of intense anxiety, which can be coupled with sweating, a rapid heartbeat, and increased sense agitation. If the dread isn't connected to a specific situation or event, it could feel like a threat that won't go away. This kind of dread is different from fear which tends to concentrate on things that are real and often have a specific cause.
You might want to talk with your physician if you experience a feeling of dread without a reason. Unfounded fears can be a symptom of a medical issue like anemia, heart attack, brain tumors or a blood clot in your leg.
An anxiety disorder may also be defined by dreadful feelings. Generalized anxiety about anxiety symptoms is a cause of an excessive, constant anxiety. People suffering from GAD are anxious about everyday events and activities. They worry about their family, money health, work and family.
GAD can trigger physical symptoms such as a feeling of anxious, headaches, tight muscles and sleeplessness. It may also lead to an inability to eat and digestive issues.
Fearful and unfounded feelings can be a sign of a mental disorder like panic disorder, depression or post-traumatic disorder. If you are experiencing these symptoms, consult a therapist to discuss your feelings and seek out help.
It is important to differentiate between the feeling of fear and dread, that are feelings specific to an object, location, or activity. Fear-based feelings however, are more specific and could be manifested by symptoms such as the feeling of imminent doom or a fear of losing your control. They could also be accompanied with other symptoms, like an anxiety that you're going to die, a fear of being out of control or a sudden feeling of terror that peaks in minutes (panic attack). Speak to your doctor in the event that you experience these symptoms. They can give you an accurate diagnose and recommend treatment options.
4. Isolation
Isolation is a feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world and may be associated with feelings of depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions. Those who feel isolated can get assistance from an expert in mental health or a healthcare professional. They may need to try different treatments or medications to determine the right treatment for them.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health disorder that can cause anxiety, fear and the constant feeling of being overwhelmed. People suffering from GAD are often worried about everyday issues like money, work, and health. They have trouble controlling their worries and are aware that their worries are not proportional to the circumstances. GAD can be diagnosed in childhood or adolescence and affect individuals of all ages. GAD is one of several types of anxiety disorders. People suffering from anxiety disorders are more at risk of developing depression as well as substance abuse issues and suicide. People who have an anxiety-related family history are also at risk of developing anxiety disorders. Researchers are still figuring out the brain and biological parts that play a part in anxiety and fear.
GAD is diagnosed if you have excessive and persistent anxiety that lasts at minimum six months and interferes with the daily routine. Your healthcare provider will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and conduct a a physical exam. They might refer you for further evaluation to a mental specialist.
People who have GAD may try to manage their symptoms by staying away from certain activities or people they believe could make them be anxious. This can lead loneliness and isolation that can exacerbate symptoms. They may also lose their enthusiasm for things they used to enjoy or develop an inability to focus. They may experience sleep problems and begin to experience pains and aches.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of GAD Talk to your healthcare provider about the best method to treat the symptoms. They can help you find treatment that will improve your quality of life and reduce the symptoms.