Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Imagine yourself sitting there feeling anxious without knowing the reason why.  You may feel nauseous, have difficulty concentrating, and feel restless.  There is muscle tension, you are easily fatigued, and you have difficulty sleeping or you have restless sleep.  You find it difficult to control the worry.  Now, imagine that going on for six months or more.  These are some of the prevailing symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder or GAD.

I have known people with GAD who told me that there were times when they have been so anxious before going places that they wanted to turn around and go back home because the anxiety they were feeling at the moment was so intense.  This speaks of the potential debilitating nature of GAD.  It affects all areas of the sufferer’s life.  I realize for those who've never had GAD it can be difficult to understand its effects because you may be thinking “we all get nervous or feel a little anxious sometimes,” right?  The difference with GAD is the intensity of the anxiety is greater and the length of time that it occurs is longer.  

Frequently, it is difficult for those without GAD to understand how the person with GAD feels.  This is unfortunate.  The well intentioned attitude portrayed by well-meaning friends and family of "there's nothing worth being that worried about" often makes the person feel worse because s/he may now believe s/he are disappointing family or friends. 

So what is the solution?  As the therapist, I would refer them to see a psychiatrist for medication evaluation.  I would teach them relaxation techniques to help relieve anxiety such as mindfulness, meditation, and deep, diaphragmatic breathing.  Also, since I'm a certified hypnotherapist, I could use hypnosis as a relaxation technique as well.  Discussing the issues of concern can also be helpful.  Of course, this is only some of the things I could do.

GAD can have a paralyzing effect on the individual.  It is important for the individual with GAD to have supportive friends and family and to seek counseling in order to find ways to gain control over their anxiety.  GAD does not have to rule their life.