GAD:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Its Symptoms
We
all feel worried and anxious sometimes, and this is completely normal.
Perhaps you are worried about your child on the first day of school,
or you are anxious about a looming deadline at your job. Some people,
however, experience excessive anxiety because of GAD, generalized
anxiety disorder. People with GAD, or generalized anxiety disorder,
are almost constantly worried and tense regardless of whether there
is something to be anxious about. GAD can cause a person to expect
a disaster in every area of life, be it health, family, work, or
finances.
Even
when a person is aware he or she worries too much, this brings no
relief to the symptoms of GAD. Generalized anxiety disorder means
you are not able to relax, concentrate, fall asleep, or stay asleep.
The symptoms of GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) will cause you
to get startled easily, feel fatigued, have headaches, and be irritable.
Here are some other generalized anxiety disorder symptoms which
can stop people with GAD from functioning in their daily lives:
- Muscle tension and aches
- Twitching and trembling
- Nausea and lightheadedness
- Feeling out of breath
- Impatience and irritability
- Easily distracted and startled
- Awakening in the middle of the night with
worry
- Stomachache and diarrhea
Sometimes
the symptoms can be mild, allowing people to function at home and
at work with GAD. Generalized anxiety disorder can also be severe,
preventing people from doing the simplest activity.
It
is believed that generalized anxiety disorder symptoms affect almost
7 million American adults. If you find yourself feeling extremely
anxious without reason and these feelings last for at least 6 months,
you may be showing the symptoms of GAD. Generalized anxiety disorder
can be treated with medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes
such as joining GAD support groups, learning to address the situations
causing your anxiety, eating healthy foods and getting plenty of
rest.
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