Everything That You Need To Know About Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Anxiety is a human response to certain things. People get anxious from time to time due to many reasons. But problems arise when it stays for a longer time and starts interrupting your life.

A generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) develops when you excessively worry about something to the extent that it starts disturbing your life. GAD is a common anxiety disorder that includes persistent and prolonged worrying, uneasiness, and tension. 

It is not associated with a specific thing; instead, it is a continual fear or dread that ruins your peace. 

Symptoms of GAD:

The symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder may vary from person to person. GAD can make a person overthink everything to the extent that it affects their ability to think realistically. They may re-create scenarios in their mind. 

For example, if a friend fails to call back, they may get anxious, considering their relationship is at stake. Some common emotional and physical symptoms include:

Emotional Symptoms:

  • Excessive and uncontrollable worrying

  • Continual distress

  • Intolerance for uncertainty

  • The constant dread that something awful might happen

  • Thoughts provoking anxiety

  • Inability to concentrate where you feel like your mind is going blank

Physical Symptoms:

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Drowsiness

  • Shaking hands

  • Muscle tightening

  • Fatigue and tiredness

  • Nausea or stomach ache

  • Insomnia

  • Headache

  • Excessive sweating

Other symptoms may include fear of social rejection, doubting personal abilities, and thinking about future events that do not exist.