What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Learn how to tell the difference between ‘normal’ anxiety and an anxiety disorder. Find out about potential causes of anxiety disorders, anxiety symptoms and what to do if you feel that anxiety is affecting your life.

Overview of GAD

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.

Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test or job interview.

During times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal.

But some people find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their daily lives.

Anxiety is the main symptom of several conditions, including:

✔️panic disorder

✔️phobias, such as agoraphobia or claustrophobia

✔️post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

✔️social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

The information in this section is about a specific condition called generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

GAD is a long-term condition that causes you to feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than 1 specific event.

People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed.

As soon as 1 anxious thought is resolved, another may appear about a different issue.

Symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)

GAD can cause both psychological (mental) and physical symptoms.

These vary from person to person, but can include:

✔️feeling restless or worried

✔️having trouble concentrating or sleeping

✔️dizziness or heart palpitations

What causes generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)?

The exact cause of GAD is not fully understood, although it's likely that a combination of several factors plays a role.

Research has suggested that these may include:

✔️overactivity in areas of the brain involved in emotions and behavior

✔️an imbalance of the brain chemicals serotonin and noradrenaline, which are involved in the control and regulation of mood

✔️the genes you inherit from your parents – you're estimated to be 5 times more likely to develop GAD if you have a close relative with the condition

✔️having a history of stressful or traumatic experiences, such as domestic violence, child abuse or bullying

✔️having a painful long-term health condition, such as arthritis

✔️having a history of drug or alcohol misuse

But many people develop GAD for no apparent reason.

This blog is dedicated to anyone suffering from Anxiety. I am sharing what I have learned throughout my journey with Anxiety, Stress and Depresssion.

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