Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry about everyday things that is disproportionate to the actual source of worry. This excessive worry often interferes with daily functioning, as individuals suffering GAD typically catastrophise, anticipate disaster, and are overly concerned about everyday matters such as health issues, money, family problems, friend problems or work difficulties.
Free-floating anxiety without a specific cause, hence the term generalized anxiety disorder.
However, the anxiety experienced by a GAD individual is so general and nonspecific that these people sometimes don't even know what exactly is bothering them. A better explanation can be found on Psychologytoday.com/diagnosis dictionary.
Generalized anxiety disorder is a common problem that can be easily treated with medication. Some of the most obvious symptoms are racing of your heart, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, and a feeling of panic.
An overall feeling of overwhelm and anxiety and the inability to successfully cope with the mental and physiological reactions that accompany the anxious thoughts.
Uncontrollable worry about everyday things.
a racing heart
Some of the symptoms of an anxiety disorder would be constant worrying, insomnia, trembling, irritability, startling easily, fatigue and muscle pain.
Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may include excessive worry and fear, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. People with GAD often experience persistent and excessive anxiety about various aspects of life, even when there is no apparent reason for concern.
Psychologically, the person with generalized anxiety disorder may develop a sense of dread for no apparent reason-the irrational feeling that some nameless catastrophe is about to happen
GAD symptoms include constant worrying, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension or muscle aches, trembling, trouble sleeping, shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat.
When someone has Social Anxiety Disorder they feel as if everyone is judging them all the time. They don't want to deal with social situations because they are afraid of doing some thing embarrassing or stupid and for others to judge them.
Everyone experiences some symptoms of anxiety from time to time; however, extended periods of anxiety can point to an anxiety disorder. When the anxiety symptoms persist, it may be time to go see a physician. Some of the following symptoms can be symptoms of a anxiety disorder: constant worry, anxiety interferes with responsibilities, constant fear, and heart-pounding panic are just some of the common signs of this disorder. In addition, there are also anxiety symptoms that are more emotional in nature. For example, irritability and restlessness are two symptoms of anxiety. Also, some people feel constant dread and fear that something bad is going to happen. People that struggle with anxiety may have difficulty concentrating, or the person may feel tense and jittery often. Oftentimes, the person will struggle with their mind going completely blank for a time. These individuals seem to feel that the worst will happen to them. Physical anxiety symptoms are also common. Excessive sweating and a pounding heart are just two of these. Some may have an upset stomach or a nervous feeling in the pit of their stomach. Headaches, muscle fatigue, insomnia, and muscle twitching are also physical symptoms of anxiety. Finally, it is important to seek help from a medical professional. Anxiety symptoms can become severe, and some people are unable to function properly without treatment. Medical research has identified six major types of anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder is the constant thought that bad things will happen to you. These individuals constantly worry without understanding why. Obsessive compulsive disorder is the constant obsession with something. Many have compulsions to repeat certain activities over and over. For example, excessive hand washing can be a symptom of this anxiety disorder. A panic disorder is a condition that causes the person to avoid public places. Some people are afraid to ever leave their homes. Also, some may have a phobia to a specific thing or person. This person, animal, or object may cause constant worry and fear. Post-traumatic stress disorder is the reaction to a life threatening event. The stress is so severe that it causes trauma to the person. The person will experience nightmares or flashbacks of the event. Avoiding situations that resemble the PTSD event is another common symptom.
Some symptoms of anxiety attacks are: heart palpitations, sweats in your hands, and fainting.
"neurosis" is an antiquated term. Anxiety Disorder (formerly anxiety neurosis) is a diagnosis made by a physician when a patient exhibits certain specific symptoms and other causes for the symptoms have been ruled out. The DSM-IV lists the symptoms required for a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder to be: DSM IV Criteria for the Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder A. Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not, for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance). B. The person finds it difficult to control the worry. C. The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms (with at least some symptoms present for more days than not, for the past 6 months). Note: Only one item is required in children. * restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge * being easily fatigued * difficulty concentrating or mind going blank * irritability * muscle tension * sleep disturbance(difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep) D. The focus of the anxiety and worry is not confined to features of an Axis I disorder, eg, the anxiety or worry is not about having a panic attack (as in Panic Disorder), being embarrassed in public (as in social phobia), being contaminated (as in obsessive-compulsive disorder), being away from home or close relatives (as in separation anxiety disorder), gaining weight (as in anorexia nervosa), having multiple physical complaints (as in somatization disorder), or having a serious illness (as in hypochondriasis), and the anxiety and worry do not occur exclusively during post-traumatic stress disorder. E. The anxiety, worry or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. F. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (eg, a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (eg, hyperthyroidism) and does not occur exclusively during a mood disorder, a psychotic disorder, or a Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
In my opinion, she appeared to suffer from some sort of anxiety disorder, which is why she was reportedly taking Xanax. In my opinion, she also appeared to be self-medicating to relieve the symptoms of such a disorder.
Some of the most common anxiety disorders are Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. To find out more about these diseases, check out webmd.com.
There are many types of anxiety disorders that include panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder. Anxieties are the product of expectation. If you desire of some thing or want to do anything or want to achieve something . When it will not fulfilled becomes the cause of anxiety. Expectation is the root cause of all types of anxieties.
worry, sweaty palms, fast heart rate, shakes, sometimes adrenaline rush, dizziness, light headed, faintness, and sweating. I have had severe anxiety and panic disorder for 6 years..