Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
GAD can cause problems in everyday situations due to symptoms such as these:
Persistent worrying or obsession about small or large concerns that are out of proportion to the impact of the eventInability to set aside or let go of a worryInability to relax, restlessness, and feeling keyed up or on edgeDifficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind “goes blank"Worrying about excessively worryingDistress about making decisions for fear of making the wrong decisionCarrying every option in a situation all the way out to its possible negative conclusionDifficulty handling uncertainty or indecisiveness
Physical signs and symptoms may cause a variety of ailments, including:
FatigueIrritabilityMuscle tension or muscle achesTrembling, feeling twitchyBeing easily startledTrouble sleepingSweatingNausea, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndromeHeadaches
How Anxiety Is Helpful
Similar to eustress, a type of “positive” stress that keeps us vital and excited about life, anxiety can also offer a variety of positive things to our lives: The next time you are experiencing anxiety, take a moment and ask yourself what purpose this anxiety is serving you, is it helpful or not. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to manage your anxiety. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
