Everyone worries. Anxiety is a common part of life and everyone experiences some anxiety almost everyday. But when anxiety and worry becomes so severe that it is all you ever feel, then there is a possibility that you are suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a condition which is characterized by excessive and continuous worry or anxiety even though there is no apparent and rational reason for worrying. Generalized Anxiety Disorder sufferers find it very hard to just go about their daily life because every moment and every single event makes them feel anxious. Most of the times, GAD sufferers know that their worry is irrational and excessive, but they can’t help it.
A few symptoms of GAD are
- Being easily fatigued
- Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep)
- Muscle tension
GAD sufferers feel overly anxious even if they realize that the situation doesn’t require so much anxiety. In addition, even if there is no apparent reason for worrying, they still feel uneasy and anxious. It might be the general worry for the well being of themselves or their loved ones or they may have a feeling that something bad is going to happen.
It should be noted that GAD sufferers are not worrying about having a panic attack (Panic Disorder), social situation (Social Anxiety). They are also not being obsessed with small things (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). General Anxiety Disorder is associated with general worrying and not worrying about a specific situation. They are usually anxious about anything and everything.
