Jesus instructed his followers to be
anxious for nothing. A person with Generalized Anxiety Disorder would do well
to be able to trust in God and follow that advice. Anxiety can cause
sleeplessness, irritability and overall inefficiency in the life of someone
that is continually in that state.
The cause is unknown, but the disorder usually begins while the people are
young children. Because they grow up feeling anxious all the time, it seems
normal. To other people around them though, it seems as though they are
continually anxious over everything. Even seemingly insignificant circumstances
make sufferers of Generalized Anxiety Disorder into worrying people, unable to
concentrate on anything other than their concerns.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder Like?
The disorder is similar to some phobias in that there is not rational cause for
the fears. The major difference is in the specificity and intensity of the two
kinds of fears. Phobias are acutely intense fears about somewhat specific
situations. General Anxiety Disorder implies that a person is worried, to a
lesser degree, about everything.
The psychiatric patients with generalized anxiety worry about nearly everything
under the sun. They probably worry about getting sick, the death of themselves
and loved ones, wars, allergies and technology. While normal people may exhibit
concern over such things, people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder have more
frequent and more irrational fears, all the time.
The typical symptoms of Generalized Anxiety
Disorder are as follows:
- A feeling of restlessness does not seem to let up. The person
is always on edge and nervous.
- Exhaustion is a common symptom because a continually anxious
person uses quite a lot of energy on worrying.
- Concentration is very difficult due to the many worries of the
day.
- Irritability is nearly a way of life.
- Muscles are tense and maybe even sore from bracing against
possible calamity.
- Sleep is hard to come by, especially in consistent or useful
amounts of time.
Other Possible Causes for Anxiety
It is important for an anxious person to speak
with their psychiatrist about the other parts of their lives when dealing with
anxiety. Drugs and other stimuli can also be responsible for excessive worry.
Other psychiatric disorders can also cause generalized anxiety.
To determine that the anxious patient’s diagnosis is actually Generalized
Anxiety Disorder, it is important to rule out any other possible causes for the
symptoms. There are medications that can treat the symptoms, but it will not be
a solution if the anxiety in itself is not the problem.