Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. It’s defined as ongoing anxiety that is severe enough to interfere with daily activities.
GAD can have an extremely negative impact on your life. It can cause you to live with constant fear or worry, with little relief.
Unfortunately, because anxiety is so prevalent in today’s society, many people end up dealing with GAD, assuming the symptoms are “normal” or without getting an official diagnosis.
It’s important to recognize some of the common signs and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. When you start to connect the dots with what you’re feeling, you can reach out for help, receive a diagnosis, and get the treatment you deserve.
So, what are those signs and symptoms?
Time Is Important
You might be used to worrying about things. Even kids worry, and it’s normal. Maybe you’ve even been called out on your ability to think about the “what ifs” in a situation. But there’s a difference between regular worrying and anxiety.
Normal worries tend to come and go. They might flare up when a certain situation arises and fade away when that situation is done.
Anxiety doesn’t work that way.
One of the clearest signs of generalized anxiety disorder is experiencing symptoms for six months or longer. That includes worry that doesn’t really go away, no matter the situation. That’s often because GAD causes you to think about the “what ifs,” even if they aren’t realistic. Often, the symptoms of GAD are more intense than whatever the situation calls for.
Common Symptoms
With that in mind, it’s important to understand that everyone can experience anxiety differently. Extreme worry is just one of the symptoms. It can trigger various additional problems that can negatively impact your quality of life. Some of the common symptoms of GAD include difficulty sleeping, irritability, and an inability to relax.
Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms. Headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, sweating, and trembling are all common physical signs of GAD. Anxiety doesn’t give your body a chance to rest. It makes you feel like you always have to be on high alert. So, your body responds to that “fight or flight” mentality by doing what it can to defend and protect itself. The only problem is that when there’s no real threat, you will likely stay in that mindset, and your body will quickly tire and sore.
Because you’re putting your body through so much, it’s also common to experience lightheadedness and dizziness with anxiety.
Unfortunately, these symptoms are common with a variety of conditions. You might not immediately think of anxiety when you have headaches or fatigue. But, if you have multiple symptoms along with extreme worry, it’s a clear sign that your mental health is impacting your physical well-being.
Anxiety Doesn’t Happen Overnight
Worry can happen at any time. But GAD isn’t something you develop immediately. Rather, it’s a gradual condition. It can begin in childhood and continue to get worse over time. Anxiety doesn’t exclude anyone, and it doesn’t target anyone. However, research has shown that women are more likely to experience GAD than men.
What Can You Do?
If these symptoms sound familiar, know that you’re not alone. The good news is that GAD is often very manageable and treatable. But it’s not something you should tackle on your own.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional right away. Getting to the root of your anxiety is the first step in treating it. Anxiety therapy can also make it easier to manage your symptoms and regain control of your life.
