Everyone
experiences anxiety now and then. We all have feelings of nervousness or a
sense of being worried about something. In fact, 2 in 5 people worry at least
once a day. However, when it becomes out
of control, and starts to interfere with the course of your everyday life, to
the extent that you retreat from it, then you know there is an issue to address.
About 1 in 20 people suffers from anxiety disorders. Generalised Anxiety Disorder
or GAD is the most common. GAD sufferers are often characterised by excessive,
uncontrollable and often irrationally worry about the smallest things.
As
with everything else, too much of something can be bad for you. GAD can easily
become a problem, causing distress or impairing one’s quality of life.
Sufferers feel anxious most days for at least six months, and worry to the
point where it affects their well being. They can feel tired, edgy, and
restless, develop insomnia, get breathless and become irritable, frustrated
& agitated. The inability to relax also leads to muscle tension.
What
causes GAD?
Nobody
knows for sure what causes generalised anxiety disorder but they can generally
be divided as biological and psychological factors.
No
single gene has been connected to GAD. However, individuals with a family
history of anxiety disorders may tend to be vulnerable to developing one, and not
necessarily GAD. People born with a particular anxiety temperament may also be
more likely to develop another type of anxiety later on in their lives.
While
our biology may make us more vulnerable to an anxiety disorder, not all of us
will develop a serious and problematic anxiety. It all depends on how well we
cope with life’s stressors and events. A traumatic or stressful and often
uncontrollable life’s event can trigger and contribute to GAD. This can often
be a financial disaster, a broken relationship or a health threat. People who
have been unfortunately grazed by such events tend to have a negative outlook
in life and worry unnecessarily. This becomes their way of coping and preparing
for the uncertainties in life, thinking that they are better prepared for what
may come.
Once
GAD develops, it can become chronic. The good news is that it can be managed
with proper treatment. Many sufferers seek advise and support from specialist
doctors and psychologists, and CBT in particular has proved very effective in
many cases.
There
are also some simple techniques that can be practiced at home to help manage your
anxiety. Meditation, muscle relaxation exercises, deep breathing, reading and
yoga all help with anxiety. Daily walks or light exercises can also help
lighten your mood as these physical activities release ‘feel good’ hormones
called endorphins. Talking about your worries and problems with someone you
trust also helps lift a lot off your chest. If you’re not very comfortable
doing this then start a journal and pen them down. Furthermore, focus your
thoughts in the present, rather than worrying about the past or what may come
in the future. It will also help to learn to find a balance between work,
family, social life and hobbies, removing the factors that may cause you
stress. A healthy diet is also beneficial at many levels.
With
the right treatment and support, GAD sufferers can learn to cope with their
symptoms and improve their quality of life. If not addressed, they may worsen
with long term physical, psychological and social effects.
About Matt
Matt
runs a website, called How to Deal with Anxiety,
that provides wide ranging advice on dealing with anxiety and stress. You can
visit the site at: http://www.howtodealwithanxietyblog.com
