Everybody experiences anxious symptoms occasionally. For instance, you might experience anxiety and worry before an exam, a medical exam, or a job interview.
Feeling worried in such circumstances can be very normal.
However, some people struggle to restrain their fears. Their anxiousness is more pervasive and frequently interferes with their regular activities.
The primary symptom of a number of illnesses is anxiety, including:
- panic attack
- fears like claustrophobia and agoraphobia
- post-trauma stress disorder (PTSD)
- social anxiety disordered (social phobia)
This section contains details on a condition known as a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
GAD is a chronic illness that makes you concerned about many different things rather than just one particular occurrence.
People with GAD experience anxiety on a daily basis and frequently find it difficult to recall the last time they felt calm.
After one worrisome thought has passed, another one related to a different subject can follow.
Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms (GAD)
Both psychological (mental) and physical symptoms can be brought on by GAD.
These can include, but are not limited to:
- feeling anxious or restless
- having difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- faintness or palpitations
When to seek anxiety treatment
Even though experiencing anxiety occasionally is quite natural, you should consult a doctor if your anxiety is interfering with your everyday life or making you feel uncomfortable.
To determine whether you might have GAD, your doctor will inquire about your symptoms as well as your concerns, fears, and feelings.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) causes
Although the precise origin of GAD is not entirely understood, it is likely that a number of different variables interact to contribute to the disorder.
According to research, these might include:
- overactivity in the brain regions responsible for emotions and behavior
- serotonin and noradrenaline, two brain chemicals essential in controlling and regulating mood, are out of balance.
- The genes you inherit from your parents are thought to increase your risk of developing GAD by five times if you have a close relative who also has the disorder.
- having a background of traumatic or stressful events, such as domestic abuse, child abuse, or bullying
- having a debilitating chronic illness, such as arthritis
- having a history of abusing drugs or alcohol
But many people experience GAD without evident cause.
Who is affected
Up to 5% of the UK population may suffer from GAD, making it a widespread disorder.
The illness is more prevalent in adults between the ages of 35 and 59, and slightly more women than males are affected.
Treatment options for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- You can self-refer for psychological treatment services in your area without a doctor's prescription, and you can access psychological therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the NHS.
- medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a kind of antidepressant (SSRIs)
Generalized anxiety disorder self-help (GAD)
Additionally, there are a lot of things you may do on your own to lessen your anxiety, like:
- taking a course in self-help
- exercising consistently
- giving up smoking
- reducing the quantity of alcohol and coffee you consume
