Anxiety is a general term and encompasses several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worrying. These disorders affect how we feel and behave, and they can manifest real physical symptoms. Mild anxiety is vague and unsettling, whereas severe anxiety can be extremely debilitating, impacting on daily life.
It is considered normal to experience a general state of worry or fear before confronting something demanding such as a test, an examination, an interview or a change from the norm i.e. something new. Anxiety is considered a problem when symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to sleep or otherwise function. Generally speaking, anxiety occurs when a reaction is out of proportion with what might be normally expected in a situation.
Anxiety disorders may be triggered by many things such as environmental factors, medical factors, genetics, brain chemistry, substance abuse, or a combination of these. Stress is considered a main trigger. By and large anxiety is a response to outside forces, but it is possible that we make ourselves anxious with “negative self-talk” – a habit of always telling ourselves the worst will happen, which if focused upon, invariably will.
Anxiety disorders can be categorised into several specific types, the most common of which is termed general anxiety disorder otherwise known as GAD.
The symptoms of general anxiety disorder (GAD) often develop slowly and can vary in severity from person to person. Some people experience only one or two symptoms, while others experience many more.
Some of the psychological ways in which GAD can cause a change in behaviour and the way you think and feel about things include:
· irritability
· restlessness
· a sense of dread
· feeling constantly ‘on edge’
· difficulty concentrating
· impatience
· being easily distracted
· excessive, ongoing worry and tension
· an unrealistic view of problems
Symptoms may cause you to withdraw from social contact even down to avoiding seeing your family and friends in the hope of avoiding feelings of worry and dread. Going to work may be difficult and stressful and result in you taking time off sick. These actions can make you worry even more about yourself and increase your lack of self-esteem.