Understanding Anxiety

Ever find yourself feeling nervous for no reason with sweaty palms, a racing heart, or tension in your gut? It's anxiety that you’re feeling, which is a normal stress response and will often show up when you’re facing a deadline at work, cramming for a test, or facing a serious decision. But, understanding anxiety is crucial to managing its symptoms later on. 

Anxiety can be beneficial, serving as a warning system for danger and uncertainty. It can give you a boost of energy and sharpen your mind. 

However,  if you’re feeling on the edge all the time to the point that it’s interfering with daily life, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

What is GAD?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a variety of topics, events, or activities. This worry is disproportionate to the actual likelihood or impact of the feared events. 

People with GAD have difficulty controlling their worry, often feeling on the edge, and lead to distress and compromised functioning.

GAD affects about 6.8 million American adults, with women twice as likely to be affected as men. The disorder can develop at any age, but the risk is highest between childhood and middle age. 

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of GAD are both physical and psychological, affecting both the mind and the body. Common symptoms include:

• Persistent worrying or obsession about small or large concerns
• Inability to relax, feeling restless, and being easily startled
• Difficulty concentrating or having the  mind “go blank”
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• Fatigue and general tiredness
• Headaches, muscle aches, and unexplained pain
• Dizziness, trembling, tingling
• Sweating, nausea, and digestive disturbances
• Shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat‍

These symptoms can build up over time, and without understanding anxiety and its root causes, many people may dismiss them as personality quirks or everyday stress. This way, all they do is delay proper care and support.

What causes anxiety?

Understanding anxiety means recognizing that it isn’t a reflection of personal weakness or character flaws. Nor does it stem from problems with the way one was raised. GAD is a mental health condition that arises from a variety of factors, and it must be addressed with compassion and professionalism.

The exact cause of GAD is unknown, but it's believed to involve a combination of biological, environmental, and psychological factors. 

Genetics may play a role, as anxiety disorders sometimes run in families. Personality traits such as shyness can also increase the risk of feeling on the edge and eventually developing GAD, and some physical conditions, including thyroid problems and heart arrhythmias, may also increase vulnerability.

Moreover, exposure to stressful and negative events, especially during childhood or adolescence, can be a significant factor in developing GAD. Understanding anxiety in this broader context helps normalize the experience and direct treatment in a more targeted way.

How is GAD diagnosed?

Diagnosing GAD typically involves a comprehensive evaluation. A doctor will do a physical exam to rule out any physical conditions that may be causing symptoms. While there are no lab tests to diagnose GAD, mental health professionals use various psychological questionnaires to understand the severity and impact of the person’s anxiety. 

They’ll then base the diagnosis on your reported symptoms, including their intensity and duration, how the symptoms impact your life, and their own observations of your attitude and behavior. 

GAD vs High functioning anxiety

Understanding anxiety means recognizing that it doesn’t always present in obvious or disruptive ways. Two individuals might experience similar internal distress, yet express it very differently. This is where the distinction between GAD and high functioning anxiety becomes important.

GAD is a diagnosable mental health condition marked by persistent, uncontrollable worry that interferes with daily life. Individuals with GAD often experience symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, irritability, and physical tension. 

Their anxiety is not limited to specific situations. It can span across all areas of life and can significantly impair functioning at work, home, or in relationships.

High functioning anxiety, on the other hand, is not an official diagnosis. Rather, it's a term used to describe people who appear outwardly successful and composed, but who internally struggle with constant worry, perfectionism, overthinking, and fear of failure. 

These individuals often cope through overachievement, control, or people-pleasing, masking their anxiety behind productivity.

While those with high functioning anxiety might not meet clinical criteria for GAD, they can still suffer deeply. Their symptoms often go unnoticed because they continue to perform well externally, making it harder to ask for or receive support.

The key difference lies in visibility and disruption: GAD tends to be more visibly disruptive, while high-functioning anxiety can remain hidden, despite its emotional toll.

How is anxiety treated?

An anxiety disorder treatment plan usually involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective therapies for anxiety, helping patients understand their feelings and develop better coping mechanisms. 

Medications, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, can also be very effective as part of an anxiety disorder treatment plan.

At the end of the day, living with GAD can be challenging. The effects of long-term anxiety are vast, impacting work performance, social activities, and relationships. Understanding anxiety means realizing that these individuals also tend to experience co-occurring disorders, such as depression or other anxiety disorders.

Support from family, friends, and support groups can be invaluable for those living with GAD. Education about the disorder is also crucial, as it empowers individuals and their loved ones to better understand the condition and foster a supportive environment for recovery.

Final thoughts

Living with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is difficult, but with effective treatments and supportive strategies, people can lead rich, fulfilling lives.

If you recognize the signs of GAD in yourself or someone close to you, don’t wait. Seek professional help. Understanding anxiety is the first step toward managing it, and implementing an anxiety disorder treatment plan brings hope and healing within reach.

If you or someone you love is struggling with anxiety, we are here to help. Contact Hamaspik today and discover what we can do for you.

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