What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.

Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam or having a medical test or job interview. During times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal. However, some people find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their daily life. Anxiety is the main symptom of several conditions, including panic disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder (social phobia).

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is a long-term condition that causes you to feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than one specific event. People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed. GAD can cause both psychological (mental) and physical symptoms. These vary from person to person, but can include feeling restless or worried and having trouble concentrating or sleeping.

What causes GAD?

The exact cause of GAD is not fully understood, although it’s likely that a combination of several factors plays a role. Research has suggested these may include:

  • Overactivity in areas of the brain involved in emotions and behaviour
  • An imbalance of the brain chemicals serotonin and noradrenaline, which are involved in the control and regulation of mood
  • The genes you inherit from your parents – you’re estimated to be five times more likely to develop GAD if you have a close relative with the condition
  • Having a history of stressful or traumatic experiences, such as domestic violence, child abuse or bullying
  • Having a painful long-term health condition, such as arthritis
  • having a history of drug or alcohol misuse

However, many people develop GAD for no apparent reason.

Who is affected?

Slightly more women are affected than men, and the condition is more common in people between the ages of 35 and 55.

How is GAD treated?

GAD can have a significant effect on your daily life, but several different treatments are available that can help ease your symptoms. These include:

  • Psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • Medication

There are also many things you can do yourself to help reduce your anxiety, such as going on a self-help course or exercising regularly. With treatment, many people are able to control their levels of anxiety.

Symptoms of GAD

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) can affect you both physically and mentally. How severe the symptoms are varies from person to person. Some people have only one or two symptoms, while others have many more. You should see your GP if anxiety is affecting your daily life or is causing you distress.

Psychological symptoms of GAD

GAD can cause a change in your behaviour and the way you think and feel about things, resulting in symptoms such as:

  • Restlessness
  • A sense of dread
  • Feeling constantly ‘on edge’
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability

Your symptoms may cause you to withdraw from social contact (seeing your family and friends) to avoid feelings of worry and dread. You may also find going to work difficult and stressful and may take time off sick. These actions can make you worry even more about yourself and increase your lack of self-esteem.

Physical symptoms of GAD

GAD can also have a number of physical symptoms, including:

  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness
  • A noticeably strong, fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Muscle aches and tension
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Dry mouth
  • Excessive sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stomach ache
  • Pins and needles
  • Insomnia

Anxiety triggers

If you are anxious as a result of a specific phobia or because of panic disorder, you will usually know what the cause is. For example, if you have claustrophobia (a fear of enclosed spaces), you know that being confined in a small space will trigger your anxiety.

However, if you have GAD, it may not always be clear what you are feeling anxious about. Not knowing what triggers your anxiety can intensify it and you may start to worry that there will be no solution.

Diagnosis

See your GP if anxiety is affecting your daily life or is causing you distress. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) can be difficult to diagnose. In some cases, it can also be difficult to distinguish from other mental health conditions, such as depression.

Information & Text: The NHS Website, UK

Consult Dr. Renuka