Most of the Time Anxiety Is a Natural Human Response
You are probably reading this because you may be wondering if you’re experiencing generalized anxiety disorder. The truth is, we can’t avoid anxiety. In fact, it’s a natural human response that serves various purposes. Anxiety helps us recognize potential threats by preparing our body to fight or run away. This could look like taking action or “fighting” to resolve a stressor. Or “running away” from a dangerous threat to ensure your safety for survival. We all need a healthy level of anxiety to function and get us out of sticky situations.
Is Your Anxiety Getting Worse Over Time?
But with anxiety disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the anxiety does not get better. In fact, it can worsen over time. Frequently making it harder to distinguish which anxieties to pay attention to as all the worries and fears feel threatening and overwhelming. It’s not the same as everyday anxiety where there’s occasional worrying or temporary anxiety that improves when the stressor is resolved or the threat is gone.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms can include intrusive anxious thoughts, excessive worrying, and persistent feelings of anxiety and fear that are difficult to control. The thoughts, worries, and fears are about everyday stressors such as health, work, family, or relationships. And more often than not, the intensity of anxiety experienced is not reflective of the stressor.
GAD Leads to Worry, Avoidance, and a Need for Control
The psychological processes of generalized anxiety disorder leads to worrying and rumination, avoidance of fearful places or situations, and the constant need to plan or control situations. The symptoms occur for more days than not and for at least 6 months. In addition, they stop you from doing everyday tasks like job performance, schoolwork, and relationships. Keep on reading to learn more about the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
Statistics About Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Here’s a couple of interesting facts: Generalized anxiety disorder affects about 6.8 million adults and women are twice as likely than men to develop generalized anxiety disorder. Furthermore, evidence shows that differences in biological, social, and cultural factors play a role why women are more affected.
What are symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Feeling edge and unable to relax on most days
- Trouble concentrating and focusing
- Fatigue and low energy
- Irritability and feeling overwhelmed – little tasks or issues feel difficult to deal with
- Body aches/tension, headaches, stomach issues, malaise
- Trouble regulating anxious thoughts, worries, and feelings of worry or panic that do not go away
- Trouble sleeping and poor quality of sleep
- Increased Social Anxiety
The Need for Professional Care
Just like health issues we’re worried about, there’s a tendency to google it and self-diagnose. However, as a good measure for protecting our health and mental health, I encourage you to make an appointment with a mental health professional if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms first. In addition, as a Therapist, I also encourage my patients to see a primary care doctor for a physical and blood work if it’s been over a year. Some medical conditions can cause generalized anxiety and it’s important to rule it out.
Treatments For Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is usually treated with therapy. Evidence-based therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) have been shown to be effective treatments. In short, CBT teaches you new and helpful ways of thinking and behaving that reduces the symptoms of GAD. This can help you cope and feel better too. ACT teaches 6 core principles with the goal of teaching flexible ways of thinking and behaving.
Generalized Anxiety Affects Perception
This frequently lead to creating misleading, unrealistic, or inaccurate views. Perceptions affect how you feel and what you do or don’t do in response to what’s being perceived. Both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy are helpful in different ways for learning tools to cope with generalized anxiety disorder.
Generalized Anxiety Will Improve Over Time
It can be difficult to recognize when you need support when dealing with generalized anxiety as it’s been going on for some time making it seem like a “normal” experience. You might be feeling discouraged or that the intense anxiety you experience will “never” go away. However, that’s just not true. Start today by taking action to get some help and “fighting” back generalized anxiety.
There is Hope for Healing
What I know from personal experience and from clients at Care Therapy is that generalized anxiety keeps you up at night and robs you of the present moment. In addition, I know how much you’re tired of feeling stuck and I want to tell you that generalized anxiety will improve over time by getting the help and support you need. You don’t have to keep dealing with it alone.
Until next time, know that you are valuable and worthy of love.
Elle
Begin Therapy for Anxiety in Orange County, CA Today
General Anxiety Disorder can be scary and all consuming when it gets out of control. And it can make you feel like you are not worthy of anything. If you are caught in the vicious cycle of never ending anxiety and can’t see your way out of it I am here to help. At Care Therapy I specialize in working with women who, like you, are overwhelmed with the symptoms of their anxiety. Together we can tackle your Generalized Anxiety Disorder. We will get you to a place where you can regain control of your life. You will not only survive, but thrive! If you are interested in starting Therapy for Anxiety, follow the steps below to begin your journey to healing.
One: Get to know more about me here.
Two: Reach out to me via email @support@caretherapyonline.com or call 949-441-CARE (2273)
Three: Begin the process of healing and recovery
Other Services Offered by Care Therapy ONLINE
In addition to Therapy for Anxiety I also work with women who are struggling with depression and women who are in the midst of kidney failure and dialysis. We work together to overcome the obstacles in your path that prevent you from living your best life and get you to a point where you find peace and comfort in your life.