What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

It’s normal to have thoughts here and there about things that you might be worried or thinking a lot about – such as an upcoming deadline, presentation, or event you’re attending, for example. There are times when these thoughts can seem excessive, intrusive, and persistent. Maybe in the past, you’ve been able to find healthy ways to decrease these intrusive thoughts. Some ways people are able to decrease these intrusive thoughts include refocusing your attention – maybe by changing your setting [leaving the house and going for a brisk walk] or engaging in a new activity [going to a free local community event].

There are times when changing your setting or engaging in new activities simply don’t work to distract you from these intrusive thoughts. What’s more? Sometimes these excessive, intrusive, and persistent thoughts can be so disruptive to your everyday life, that they start to affect your ability to sleep through the night, cause you to experience tenseness and nausea in your body, and sometimes causes your mind to race […ever felt like your mind is a hamster on a hamster wheel that won’t jump off?]. If you’ve experienced this, you are not alone. 

According to HelpGuide.org, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common anxiety disorder that involves constant and chronic worrying, nervousness, and tension. Thoughts related to GAD can sound like:

·      “Oh my gosh, this appointment was supposed to start exactly at 10:00am. Now it will probably be cancelled – what am I going to do if it’s cancelled?”

·      “I just know he will break up with me if I tell him that I’m not happy with our current relationship.”

·      “I had one bad week of productivity at work. I’m sure I’ll get written up or fired now!”

·      “If I don’t get the kids exactly what they want for dinner, they will never let me hear the end of it. I don’t know what to do!”

Often after these thoughts enter our mind, we are plagued with somatic symptoms. Somatic symptoms simply mean physical symptoms you experience in your body. As mentioned earlier, some typical somatic symptoms include tension headaches, muscle tension, stomach nausea, exhaustion, feeling irritable, and difficulty falling and/or staying asleep.

If you’re unsure if you either may have complete GAD, or simply experience some symptoms due to your current situation, it is important to speak to a licensed mental health counselor in the state you current reside. Psychology Today has a large array of therapists – you can even filter the menu to identify a therapist based on elements including:

·      What insurance does the therapist current accept?

·      In what way can the therapist assist me in managing my current intrusive and disruptive anxious thoughts?

·      What gender and age range does the therapist specialize in?

·      What ethnicity and faith does this therapist subscribe to?

If this is your first time looking for a therapist, asking and identifying these questions are important so you can receive therapy, tailored and customized for your current needs! Once you begin to work with your therapist, they will help you to manage the intrusive and disruptive anxious thoughts by helping you:

·      Identify what situations specifically increase these intrusive and persistent negative thoughts

·      Find additional ways to increase calm before the anxious thoughts get too intense for you [using your 5 senses and positive self-talk] 

·      Create a routine that incorporates elements of calmness, no matter the stressful situations you’re dealing with in your life

You deserve to have a support system and elements of peace and calm in your daily life. Although feelings of anxiety and nervousness can get in the way of your daily life, things can start getting better today. Reach out to me today and get started now.