# How To Tell If You Suffer From Anxiety

- Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/wellbeing/mind-mental-health/anxiety/
- Published: 2015-03-16T18:00:33+11:00
- Author: Clare Whitfield

Just imagine for a moment that your teenage daughter, sent out on an errand to the
shops is late home. You are clock watching, your mind is conjuring up all sorts 
of scenarios. Has she had an accident or been hit by a car crossing the road, has
she been abducted by some maniac walking home through the park? You drive yourself
into a panic, expecting the police to come knocking on the door any second, wondering
how on earth you will cope with such a loss. Your stomach is churning, the anxious
feelings are out of control and you are just about to head out and look for her,
when she comes calmly waltzing in through the door. Turns out she met a friend and
stopped for a chat. In reality she is only half an hour past her expected return.

Making huge insurmountable mountains out of molehills can be an everyday occurrence
to those suffering Generalised Anxiety Disorder or GAD.

Feeling stressed or worried is pretty normal when we have things going on in our
day to day lives that create a pressure situation. Students sitting exams, deadlines
at work, moving house, relationship problems, they all contribute. A certain level
of anxiety can also be good, in that it helps us stay alert and focused, and anxious
feeling associated with these stressful events normally subside as the situation
passes or resolves itself.

Sufferers of anxiety however, live with these feelings constantly and coping with
daily life becomes difficult as these anxious feeling are not easily controlled.
Worries begin intruding on every aspect of everyday life whether there is any reason
to worry about it or not. The day to day normality of going to work, studying and
socialising can lead to unmanageable worries and feelings that something terrible
might happen. Many simply describe themselves as a worrier!

Let’s take a look at some of the more common symptoms of anxiety disorder. They 
may develop gradually and separately, seem relatively insignificant or even be associated
with other medical conditions, but together give a good guide for those who wish
to be better informed before they decide to seek medical advice.

**Common Symptoms **

 * Hot and Cold Flushes
 * Racing Heart
 * Tightening of the chest
 * Snowballing worries
 * Obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviour

**Other symptoms associated with GAD include**

 * Feeling restless or on edge
 * Feeling easily tired including trouble sleeping, difficulty falling or staying
   asleep or restless sleep.
 * Unexplained muscle pain such as jaw or back
 * Having difficulty concentrating on everyday tasks
 * Feeling irritable

GAD sufferers may also experience related disorders such as depression, social phobias
and panic disorders. Anxiety is a serious condition and understanding and recognising
the symptoms are an important part of the diagnosis and tailoring of a treatment
plan to the individual.

Statistics show that approx. 14% of the population will experience an anxiety disorder
in their lifetime. Nearly 6% will experience GAD, affecting more women than men.
It is indiscriminate and can occur at any time in life and can affect all age groups
including children and the elderly.

If you have for six months or more felt very worried, found it hard to stop worrying,
found that your anxiety made it difficult to participate in everyday tasks like 
work, seeing friends and family, then it may be time seek advice.

For those reluctant to take the first step, Beyond Blue (link here) is a great source
for information, with explanations in a simple and easy to understand language. 
If you suspect you may suffer from an anxiety disorder you can fill in a simple 
questionnaire online and print the results to take to your GP for diagnosis and 
medical advice.

Have you suffered from anxiety and just brushed it off as a ‘stage in life’?

Do you have a friend that you feel concerned about and don’t know how to help them?

[SOURCE](http://www.beyondblue.org.au/)

![author avatar](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/
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 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.

 [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [  ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)