Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by the presence of constant worry and anxiety for no apparent reason. Unlike other types of anxiety, the causes are not easily identified.
In this article We will see what Generalized Anxiety consists of and how to recognize it.
Generalized Anxiety presents a different pattern in people’s daily habits and routines ; It is present in the workplace, family, academic, health, social, etc. It arises with the manifestation of excessive concern that maximizes the importance of the problems and makes us see serious problems when analyzing any situation that other people would consider normal, giving greater weight to the event than it really has.
It is possible that the symptoms are explained by the influence of some medication, by the consumption of drugs or specific medications, such as medication for some physical illness. In this case, Generalized Anxiety Disorder is not diagnosed. Generalized Anxiety is often present in other mood disorders.
Constant worry
Worry is the concern one has about a certain circumstance For example, you may be worried about monthly payments and expenses, getting a better job, passing an exam at university, etc.
However, worry becomes pathological when well-being is affected and the ability to manage unforeseen events, and even more so to prepare for them. It is a discomfort that is accompanied by physical and emotional manifestations that are disproportionate to the magnitude of the problem being faced.
That is to say, you may be worried about things in your daily routine, but if you only make predictions they are catastrophic and anxiety torments, anxiety overflows and becomes pathological.
When anxiety is pathological, the responses are exaggerated and its effects have greater intensity and duration, Attention is focused on the fear of the consequences and not the threat itself There is an unrealistic pressure where problems are maximized and the ability to solve them is blocked, because anxiety affects the ability to reason and the use of tools to deal with situations. Pathological anxiety occurs in all anxiety disorders.
Symptoms
Some of the most frequent symptoms of Generalized Anxiety are:
And the most common physical symptoms are:
These symptoms make it difficult for the person to perform normal activities in life. Symptoms present in different ways for each individual what remains for everyone is that Generalized Anxiety is a way of interacting with the world and interpreting it from an anxious vision, which is not related to any particular fear as in phobias or panic disorders, but is present in all the scenarios of our lives.
Causes
The causes of the appearance of Generalized Anxiety Disorder can be traumatic experiences, personality factors, genetic predisposition to stress or the environment where we develop. However, objective estimates of the causes will depend on each person.
In some cases personality characteristics such as dependency influence the appearance of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, since in the dependency the approval of others is required for decision-making and difficulties arise in assuming responsibilities on their own, which results in anxiety.
Therefore, it is important identify all the aspects involved to determine the origin of the diagnosis and if it is only Generalized Anxiety, since in most cases it is associated with other disorders.
The anxiety It is an adaptive behavior and is activated when we perceive danger or threat ; The reaction generates an effect on our body and mind that predisposes us to adapt to challenges.
It is natural that we are in a state of alert when we experience a situation that is not optimal, even if it does not involve danger. For example, when crossing the street you are alert to the vehicles around us; but that should not produce other symptoms that exacerbate and maximize a routine situation.
It should be natural that we are able to face new or unknown situations where we do an analysis that helps us better manage worry and nervousness to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
On the other hand, if you suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, you will be constantly feeling fear while carrying out your normal activities of the day you will worry excessively and present the physical symptoms mentioned above.
Psychotherapy
If you have frequent symptoms of anxiety and feel that they prevent you from carrying out activities and harm your interactions in different areas of life, this means that you are presenting characteristics of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which is why you should consult a psychologist, who can give you therapeutic tools to learn to regulate your anxiety.
