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General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

What is GAD?

There are a number of anxiety disorders which may affect people, however possibly the most common type would be general anxiety dis-order, otherwise known as GAD.

 

GAD covers a broad spectrum of symptoms and emotions which can be caused by persistent worry/fear with day-to-day situations. Individuals who suffer with GAD may find it extremely difficult to control their worries and think rationally in stressful situations with this effecting you for a pro-longed period of time. As a result, GAD can make you feel as If you are stuck in a constant state of anxiety with no way which may not only affect you mentally but also impact your physical health.

Symptoms of GAD

There are a high number of symptoms you may experience with anxiety which will vary from person to person. Below are what are deemed to be the most common and also what I experienced on a personal level.

 

• Obsessive thinking/Negative thoughts (Personal)

 

This is where I would become anxious over a particular situation and become obsessed with it to the point of it making myself physically ill. They would often be ‘what if’ kind of thoughts where my mind would continue to create a disastrous scenario and I would become riddled with fear that it may happen. As a result, I would experience a number of physical symptoms which would have a knock-on effect to my mental state.

 

With this, I would feel the need for consistent re-assurance to help put my mind at ease, however, would seek this for every scenario I become fixated on.

 

Irrational fear (Personal)

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A huge issue I experienced was irrational fears. Something which would sound ridiculous to someone else, was very real to myself. It became apparent that it’s not so easy to discuss with these thoughts with people as they may deem it ‘silly’. However, provided you have the right support network around you, it’s vital you voice these thoughts/fears to help eradicate them.

 

When you’re experiencing anxiety, it can become very difficult to think rationally, as panic may consume you and you become overwhelmed. Regardless of what people may think, seek support and explain your thoughts to help shed light on this.

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• Mental fatigue (Personal)

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Consumed by fear and panic, it can become very difficult to stay engaged with day to day life. I would often experience a high level of mental fatigue, finding the only time I could switch off was when I was sleeping. You may experience difficulty with basic tasks and problem solving as your mind is pre-occupied by other thoughts. Mental fatigue can also be a culprit to leading to higher levels of anxiety and depression as well as taking it’s toll on your emotions.

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• Muscle tension

 

It may become apparent that when you experience high levels of stress or anxiety it will result in muscle tension and fatigue in multiple areas of your body. Tension occurs due to your fight or flight response causing your muscles to contract and tighten in response to danger. When suffering with GAD, you may find you’re experiencing consistent high stress levels meaning you muscles will be constantly tensing throughout the day resulting in stiffness, mobility issues and discomfort.

 

Combatting your anxiety will help reduce the onset of muscle tension, however there are ways in which you can relieve pain and inflammation when you notice it effecting you. Finding relaxation methods focussing specifically on relaxing your body will allow tension to be released. I personally would recommend visiting a physiotherapist or masseuse who specialise with this and therefore offer could offer the best physical help. 

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• Restlessness

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Possibly one of the most common symptoms relating to anxiety would be restlessness. This is a result of your fight or flight system feeding a surge of adrenaline into your body as a response to stress. Due to this, you may find it difficult to stay still and relax, as well as experience difficulty concentrating and thinking straight.

 

As you feel the constant need to move over a prolonged period of time, you may feel more fatigued than usual without knowing why. This is because, although you’re only tapping your fingers or bouncing your leg, you’re still burning calories and energy when doing this.

Other Symptoms and conditions:

GAD can also consist of much more severe symptoms that can become a major problem in themselves. These include,

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Conditions:

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  • Panic Disorder

  • OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

  • Social Anxiety 

  • PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

 

Physical Symptoms:

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  • Sickness and Diarrhea

  • Panic Attacks

  • Feeling of dread

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Heart Palpitations

  • Loss of appetite

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