Mental Health

Understanding Anxiety

By Bassi Gruen LSW

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. 

Anxiety is a normal response to stress and will often show up when you’re facing a deadline at work, cramming for a test, or facing a serious decision.

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.

GAD Defined

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 leading 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. 

Common psychological 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
Physical symptoms often associated with GAD are:
  • Fatigue and general tiredness
  • Headaches, muscle aches, and unexplained pain
  • Dizziness, trembling, tingling
  • Sweating, nausea, digestive disturbances
  • Shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat

What Causes Anxiety?

Anxiety 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 they 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, make GAD more likely. 

Moreover, exposure to stressful and negative events, particularly during childhood or adolescence, may trigger the disorder, ca

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. 

How is Anxity 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.

The Difficulties of Living with GAD

Living with GAD can be challenging. The effects of long-term anxiety are vast impacting various aspects of life, including work performance, social activities, and relationships. It's not uncommon for individuals with GAD 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.

Conclusion

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

If you recognize the signs of GAD, seek professional help. This will bring you much closer to managing your anxiety and improving overall well-being. By taking steps to implement an anxiety disorder treatment plan, people with anxiety can find hope and support in their journey to mental health.

Auditory Sensitivity

My child is sensitive to loud noises
(e.g., sirens, vacuum cleaner).

My child seeks out specific sounds or types of music and appears calmer when listening to them.

Tactile Sensitivity

My child is irritated by certain fabrics or tags in clothing.

My child seems indifferent to sensations that are usually painful or to extreme temperatures.

Visual Sensitivity

My child is sensitive to bright or flashing lights.

My child tends to avoid eye contact.

Taste/Smell Sensitivity

My child constantly prefers bland foods and rejects foods with strong flavors or spices.

My child seeks out strong or unusual smells, such as sniffing food or objects.

Proprioceptive Sensitivity

My child prefers tight hugs or being wrapped in a blanket.

My child is unaware of body position in space (e.g., often bumps into things).

Social Sensitivity

My child becomes anxious or distressed in crowded spaces.

My child is hesitant or resistant to climbing or balancing activities (e.g., jungle gyms, see-saws).

Movement Sensitivity

My child dislikes fast or spinning movements

Vestibular Sensitivity

My child becomes anxious or distressed in crowded spaces.

My child is hesitant or resistant to climbing or balancing activities (e.g., jungle gyms, see-saws).

Please answer all questions before submitting.

Your Child’s Score is

  • 0-15

    Low Sensory Sensitivity

  • 16-30

    Moderate Sensory Sensitivity

  • 31-45

    High Sensory Sensitivity

  • 46-60

    Very High Sensory Sensitivity

0-15: Low Sensory Sensitivity

  • Interpretation: Your child exhibits low levels of sensory sensitivity, usually falling within the typical developmental range.
  • Recommendation: Generally not  a cause for concern. If you have specific worries or notice a sudden change in behavior, consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation.
  • 0-15

    Low Sensory Sensitivity

  • 16-30

    Moderate Sensory Sensitivity

  • 31-45

    High Sensory Sensitivity

  • 46-60

    Very High Sensory Sensitivity

16-30: Moderate Sensory Sensitivity

  • Interpretation: Your child displays moderate sensory sensitivity, which may warrant intervention.
  • Recommendation: Consider sensory-friendly activities, sensory sensitive toys, or sensory sensitive clothing like noise-canceling headphones and weighted blankets to improve comfort. If symptoms persist, consult health care professionals.
  • 0-15

    Low Sensory Sensitivity

  • 16-30

    Moderate Sensory Sensitivity

  • 31-45

    High Sensory Sensitivity

  • 46-60

    Very High Sensory Sensitivity

31-45: High Sensory Sensitivity

  • Interpretation: Your child has higher than average sensory sensitivity that may interfere with daily functioning.
  • Recommendation: Seek a detailed evaluation by health care professionals for sensory integration therapy options and potential environmental modifications.
  • 0-15

    Low Sensory Sensitivity

  • 16-30

    Moderate Sensory Sensitivity

  • 31-45

    High Sensory Sensitivity

  • 46-60

    Very High Sensory Sensitivity

46-60: Very High Sensory Sensitivity

  • Interpretation: Your child demonstrates high levels of sensory sensitivity that could significantly interfere with daily life.
  • Recommendation: If your child displays this level of sensory sensitivity, it’s highly recommended that you consult with a health care professional for a multi-disciplinary assessment. You will probably be directed towards early intervention programs and specialized support.

Yom Tov Transitions Made Easy

NYC’s Top Accessible Adventures

The Yom Tov Parenting Survival Guide

Understanding OPWDD Eligibility: What You Need to Know

How Direct Support Professionals Enhance Quality of Life

What Is Com Hab and How Does It Provide Individualized Support?

6 Benefits of Respite Care for Families of Kids with Special Needs

Encouragement for the First Day of School

The Child Development Checklist

Spina Bifida — an Overview

My Life in Holland

Fostering Independence in Children With Developmental Delays

Understanding Intellectual Disabilities

What is Epilepsy?

Defining Dyslexia

Pathways to Potential

Understanding Down Syndrome

Early Intervention for Down Syndrome

Our Roller Coaster Ride

Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Understanding Autism

Autism Support

Social Anxiety Disorder

Confronting Childhood Trauma

Family Strategies for Anxiety

Separation Anxiety Overview

Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Mental Disorder Prevention

Combating Depression in Elders

Depression Overview

Understanding Anxiety

Adult ADHD Action Plan

Sleep Strategies for the Anxious Child

Unlocking Potential

A Parent's Guide to Food for Kids With Allergies

Understanding Speech and Language Development

Sleep Strategies for the Anxious Child

Sensory Sensitivity Test

Feeding Your Picky Eater

Simple Sensory Activities

Decoding Diagnostic Tests

The Child Development Checklist

Categories