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We learned about anxiety in the last chapter. Today, we will focus on Generalized Anxiety Disorder (or GAD for short), its symptoms, and causes, as this is one of the most commonly seen types of anxiety disorders.
Patients suffering from GAD often feel anxious, nervous, and frightened. They may experience sleeping problems and have a short attention span. Many physical symptoms appear as well, such as tense muscles, aches, fatigue, tension headaches, restlessness, an inability to relax, trembling, frequent rubbing of the palms, chest pains, palpitations, or a racing heartbeat.
These symptoms may also be accompanied by frequent breathlessness, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and frequent trips to the toilet with little discharge. Patients may also experience dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, and excessive perspiration.
Individuals with GAD often exhibit high vigilance and sensitivity to their surroundings. They are easily startled by noises or sights, which can drive them into a state of irritability or anger. With these symptoms manifesting, the patient may begin to suspect they have a serious illness, which in turn fuels further anxiety and exacerbates their symptoms.
I would advise everyone to try to reduce their tension to prevent the patient’s anxiety from worsening and leading to depression.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) outlines specific criteria for diagnosing GAD.
One: Check if symptoms of persistent anxiety or excessive worry have been present for a continuous period exceeding six months. There is no need to panic, as this is a long period, and temporary anxiety is common due to short-term stressors, such as upcoming exams or urgent matters.
I have provided a list of thirteen tips in the next chapter to help ease anxiety. If none of them work for you, it may be time to take further action.
Two: Adults must exhibit at least three of these symptoms, while children only need to exhibit one. If these symptoms persist in daily life, it is important to monitor them closely.
However, do not be overly alarmed if anxiety symptoms appear due to medication use. Stay calm and avoid falling into a cycle of unnecessary worry. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. However, if anxiety persists for over six months or if you are experiencing three or more of the aforementioned symptoms, it is time to see a doctor.
Anxiety can be managed through medication and psychiatric treatment. Generally, assistance for patients includes educational resources on medical information, behavioral conditioning, and psychiatric techniques.
Firstly, your health will deteriorate due to inaction, which may lead to serious palpitations. Over time, blood vessels may constrict, blood lipid and cholesterol levels may rise, and high blood pressure, cardiovascular disorders, or even heart attacks may develop.
Being well-informed about anxiety helps us manage the condition effectively and empowers us to communicate confidently with medical professionals.
Another consequence is a decline in quality of life. Excessive worry impairs cognitive function, making it difficult to focus on urgent tasks. This, in turn, negatively impacts studies and work performance.
Furthermore, anxiety disrupts sleep, preventing individuals from getting the rest they need to maintain mental and physical balance. This lack of sleep affects concentration, relationships, and workplace performance, often resulting in increased irritability and frustration.
Many patients with GAD feel that something is fundamentally wrong with them. As a result, they may withdraw from social interactions, avoid leaving the house, or even lose their ability to work.
Anxiety and depression are closely connected, with anxiety often leading to the onset of depression. Patients with GAD frequently feel overwhelmed by difficulties, which can result in despair and eventual melancholy. This can strain relationships with family members, who may become increasingly concerned about their well-being. When depression enters the equation, family life suffers, making patience, concern, and acceptance from loved ones invaluable.
Delaying treatment only prolongs recovery and makes regaining stability more difficult. Seeking medical help as early as possible is highly recommended.
In addition to hereditary factors, GAD can result from biochemical imbalances in the body or dysfunction in brain areas responsible for processing emotions.
Medical treatment can help restore these self-regulatory functions. There is no need for excessive concern, as GAD is a treatable—and even curable—condition.
Some personality traits may make individuals more susceptible to GAD. Certain groups of people tend to experience excessive tension more readily than others.
Specialists have found that individuals with Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD) or Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) are more prone to developing anxiety disorders.
Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD): Those with AvPD are particularly vulnerable to anxiety. They are easily threatened by pressure, often timid, and hesitant to try new things for fear of failure. During childhood, they may have been highly sensitive to criticism and rejection. As adults, they remain deeply conscious of their perceived social shortcomings, unattractiveness, or inability to measure up to others.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): Individuals with OCPD are rigid, stubborn, and uncompromising. They are often perfectionists who rush to complete tasks flawlessly, refusing to delegate to others. They hold themselves and others to extremely high standards, prioritizing strict adherence to rules and protocols. As a result, they frequently experience frustration and self-blame when these standards are not met.
Those with OCPD meticulously scrutinize every detail, questioning and re-questioning aspects of a task. If you work with someone like this, you’ll know the challenge firsthand!
People react to life’s challenges in different ways. However, individuals who constantly dwell on negativity and pessimism are more likely to develop GAD.
Research suggests that those who have experienced trauma or mistreatment during childhood are at higher risk of developing anxiety. Parenting styles play a crucial role in shaping a child's resilience.
A child subjected to excessive parental control and overprotection may struggle with self-confidence. If they later face rejection or failure, they may feel helpless and overwhelmed by anxiety. Lacking opportunities to develop independence, they may find it difficult to cope with new situations or major life challenges, such as health issues, job loss, or personal crises.
Have you ever heard this song before?
“God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.”
No one can go through life without encountering difficulties.
There will be moments when traumatic events shake our world—such as the 9/11 attacks, financial meltdowns, or personal crises. These experiences can trigger anxiety and its terrible aftermath: strained relationships, job loss, and emotional distress.
While we cannot change the past, we still have control over the present and future. It is important to face reality, set realistic expectations, and let go of impossible standards. Replacing negative thoughts with positive ones will help lighten the burden.
Henry Ford put it best when he said, “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”