GAD is a common anxiety disorder. It involves constant, excessive and chronic worry and tension about different events in your life. If you suffer from GAD, your worry does not connect to one specific event or situation, it is a general feeling of dread or unease that comes with many physical, emotional and behavioural symptoms. It is less intense than panic, but it is still mentally and physically exhausting.
You may worry about the same things as others do but on a heightened level. Your day is filled with excessive, intrusive, persistent and disruptive worry and tension.
Emotional and psychological symptoms of GAD:
- Excessive worry and anxiousness about events and activities
- Difficulty to control your worry
- Intrusive thoughts about things that make you anxious; you can`t stop thinking about them
- An inability to tolerate uncertainty
- A pervasive feeling of apprehension or dread
- Restlessness, fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability
Behavioural symptoms of GAD include:
- Inability to relax
- Difficulty concentrating
- Putting things off
- Avoiding situations
Physical symptoms of GAD include:
- Feeling tense; having muscle tightness or muscle aches
- Pins and needles
- Palpitations
- Trembling, shaking
- Dry mouth
- Breathlessness
- Stomach ache, nausea, diarrhoea
- Headache
- Dizziness, tiredness
- Having Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Feeling edgy, restless, or jumpy
What`s the difference between worry that`s normal and a part of our normal life and GAD
If you have “normal” worry, this worry is limited to a specific, realistic situation or event and lasts for a short time. This feeling does not get in the way of doing your daily activities, it does not stop you from living a life you want. You can control it.
If you suffer from GAD, worrying disrupts your life, your activities, your schoolwork or job. You fear the future and tend to expect the worst. Your worries are extreme, and they are not connected to a few specific situations. You`ve been worrying for more than 6 months, and you experience at least 3 physical or behavioural symptoms too.
If you feel that you suffer from GAD, please do not hesitate to ask for help.
Hypnotherapy is a high-intensity therapeutic intervention. I can help teach you techniques of calming, methods of breathing, relaxation and grounding that can all help you to overcome your physical symptoms.
Talking therapy sessions can help you realistically examine your situation and take back control over your life.
