Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Support
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects about 2.7% of the adult population of the United States. That equates to nearly 7 million people dealing with anxiety. While symptoms can vary and some people have more severe cases than other, that is a lot of fear, worry, and uncertainty plaguing our country.
Even though anxiety is the most common mental health condition across the globe, so many people still don’t know all there is to know about it. You might have a basic idea of what it looks like, but again, not all symptoms are the same, and the causes are different across the board.
Thankfully, most cases of GAD are manageable with the right help and support. However, you first need to fully understand what you’re dealing with. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the symptoms and causes of generalized anxiety, and what you can do to get the help you need.
What Causes GAD?
There are a variety of factors that can trigger generalized anxiety disorder from person to person. Causes can be genetic, biological, or environmental.
Just because a relative has anxiety or another mental health issue doesn’t automatically mean you will somehow inherit it. However, GAD can run in families, and you may have a genetic predisposition toward it. Things that might not cause other people anxiety could trigger you.
Your brain chemistry also plays a part in your susceptibility. Imbalances in serotonin or dopamine levels can make it easier for you to develop anxiety or depression.
More often than not, however, generalized anxiety disorder is caused by environmental factors, including life experiences. These experience could stem back to childhood if you were abused or neglected. As an adult, things like abuse, family stress, financial stress, or significant life changes could lead to GAD.
Even if you don’t experience one “big” stressful event in your life, multiple small stressors can build up over time and cause you to develop anxiety.
What Are the Symptoms?
Excessive worry is the most common and prominent symptom of generalized anxiety disorder. Everyone worries from time to time. However, if you feel like fear and worry consume your thoughts and you’re unable to control or stop them, it’s a sign of a bigger problem.
Anxiety can manifest itself physically, causing fatigue, restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, and even a racing heart and sweating. It can contribute to changes in your eating and sleeping habits, and make you feel like you always have to be on edge.
It’s not uncommon for people with anxiety to withdraw from people and even things they typically enjoy. Unfortunately, that often makes symptoms worse.
Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Again, the silver lining when it comes to anxiety is that it’s often very manageable. When you understand what you’re dealing with, you can prioritize things like self-care. Mindfulness, meditation, and journaling are great ways to stay grounded and in the present, so your anxious thoughts won’t carry you elsewhere. Getting enough sleep, spending time with loved ones, and even staying physically active can boost your mood and help you challenge negative thoughts.
One of the best things you can do for GAD, however, is to work with a mental health professional.
Therapy will help you dig deeper into where your anxiety stems from. That allows you to start your healing journey from the ground up. Anxiety therapy can also help with symptom management, so your anxious thoughts feel less extreme all of the time.
Whether you’ve officially been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder or not, it’s never too early to reach out for help. Contact me today to set up a consultation and take control of your mental well-being.