Generalized Anxiety

Anxiety affects everyone as some point in their lives. You might worry about your relationships, money, health. Anxiety can be helpful when it helps us make decisions or perform when needed. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a type of Anxiety that differs from everyday worries. GAD is present in an overwhelming amount for atleast 6 months and is not based on real threats. It can be tough to manage as it seems out of your control in those moments. Specific thinking patterns and fears start to set in, and anxiety is continuously present or easily triggered when met with triggers. Many people would describe them as “always worried” or that they “always worry after a stressful event”. 

Some of the main symptoms include:

Worry about everyday things

A sense of restlessness 

A sense of nervousness

Lack of Focus 

Sleep Disturbances

Irritability

Easily Tired

Such exaggerated worrying can interfere with your everyday life. The constant activation of the nervous system affects the body too by causing tiredness, sleep issues, muscle tension, sweating and trembling among other symptoms. Besides physical complaints, GAD can cause issues in your work life, relationships, family life and can move into forms of perfectionism, striving for approval, low self-esteem or avoiding certain situations or people altogether.