Do You Have Generalised Anxiety Disorder?

Everyone feels anxious at certain situations. But if the fear is constant and out of proportion, you might be suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

The condition is a constant fear of ‘what might happen’ even though it hardly happens. Sufferers feel threatened most of the time even when�no real threat exists. They live in constant fear of consequences. They fear failure, rejection and criticism. The condition is usually as a result of anxiety response to mental and physical changes.

Apart from anxiety levels that are above normal, other symptoms may include striving for approval, lack of self-confidence, being overly conscious about your appearance, lack of confidence, out of proportion concerns about fitting in and striving for perfection. As they strive for perfection, sufferers redo tasks time and again just because they were not perfectly done on the first attempt. As the condition develops, physical symptoms such as fatigue, twitching, irritability, inability to sleep and muscle pains may manifest.

Risk Factors

The day-to-day worry about finances, relationships, work, bills and all causes adrenaline levels in the blood steam to hike. Overtime, the body may then become accustomed to being anxious all the time, leading to GAD. For this reason, the condition is on rise. Research shows that one�in every four people experienced the condition in the course of their lives. Both genders and all ages are affected. However, women are twice as much affected as men and is more prevalent between the childhood and middle ages.

The disorder ranges from mild or extreme. Regardless of the level, it negatively impacts on the quality of day-to-day life. Under GAD, a small problem appears too big and out of proportion, and making decisions becomes difficult due to fear of making the wrong ones, and every solution to any problem is carried to a negative conclusion. The feeling of emptiness and worry about everything even the worry itself is much common. The condition can ultimately lead to drug abuse and suicidal thoughts. Early treatment greatly helps.

Next Page: Treatment

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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