G - Generalised Anxiety Disorder #MentalHealthAwareness

I was worried all the time and felt nervous. My family told me that there were no signs of problems, but I still felt upset. I dreaded going to work because I couldn’t keep my mind focused. I was having trouble falling asleep at night and was irritated at my family all the time. Generalised Anxiety Disorder?

All of us feel anxious from time to time, especially due to everyday stress. However, excessive, ongoing anxiety and worry that are difficult to control and interfere with day-to-day activities may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder.


It's possible to develop generalized anxiety disorder as a child or an adult. Generalized anxiety disorder has symptoms that are similar to panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other types of anxiety, but they're all different conditions.


Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary. They may include:


· Persistent worrying or anxiety about a number of areas that are out of proportion to the impact of the events


· Overthinking plans and solutions to all possible worst-case outcomes


· Perceiving situations and events as threatening, even when they aren't


· Difficulty handling uncertainty


· Indecisiveness and fear of making the wrong decision


· Inability to set aside or let go of a worry


· Inability to relax, feeling restless, and feeling keyed up or on edge


· Difficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind "goes blank"


Physical signs and symptoms may include:


· Fatigue


· Trouble sleeping


· Muscle tension or muscle aches


· Trembling, feeling twitchy


· Nervousness or being easily startled


· Sweating


· Nausea, diarrhoea or irritable bowel syndrome




· Irritability

Symptoms in children and teenagers :


Children and teenagers may have similar worries to adults, but also may have excessive worries about:

· Performance at school or sporting events

· Family members' safety

· Being on time (punctuality)

· Earthquakes, nuclear war or other catastrophic events


A child or teen with excessive worry may:

· Feel overly anxious to fit in

· Be a perfectionist

· Redo tasks because they aren't perfect the first time

· Spend excessive time doing homework

· Lack confidence

· Strive for approval

· Require a lot of reassurance about performance

· Have frequent stomach-aches or other physical complaints

· Avoid going to school or avoid social situations










Having generalized anxiety disorder can be disabling. It can:

· Impair your ability to perform tasks quickly and efficiently because you have trouble concentrating
· Take your time and focus from other activities
· Sap your energy
· Increase your risk of depression



Generalized anxiety disorder can also lead to or worsen other physical health conditions, such as:

· Digestive or bowel problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome or ulcers
· Headaches and migraines
· Chronic pain and illness
· Sleep problems and insomnia
· Heart-health issues


When their anxiety level is mild to moderate or with treatment, people with GAD can function socially, have full and meaningful lives, and be gainfully employed. Many with GAD may avoid situations because they have the disorder or they may not take advantage of opportunities due to their worry (social situations, travel, promotions, etc). Some people can have difficulty carrying out the simplest daily activities when their anxiety is severe.


Click here to read another post written about ANXIETY for this challenge.



DISCLAIMER: All the information being provided her has been sourced from the internet and books and some also via personal experiences. It has no medical authentication per se so suggestions if followed must be done in consultation with a trained mental health professional.




References:


https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad



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