Anxiety is an emotion that all human beings experience at times. Most people become anxious or nervous when they are faced with stressful situations; such as problems at home or at work, before taking exams, when faced with an important decision, or when a love one is in actual danger. It may be accompanied by several physical symptoms, most of which are related to the head, heart, and lungs; and the nervous and gastrointestinal systems.

 

The occasional experience of anxiety is perfectly normal; we all experience it at various points in our lives. However, people with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more or less constant and often affect their daily lives.

 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a long-term condition that causes you to feel anxious about many situations and issues in your life. People who are suffering from GAD experience anxiety most days, and they often find it hard to relax. GAD may cause both psychological/emotional and physical symptoms. These vary from person to person, but can include feeling irritable or worried, trouble concentrating, and sleep disturbances.

 

Causes

 

There are a number of things that may cause or trigger anxiety, but these are some of the most common:

:

  • Stress at work  or school
  • Stress in a personal relationship, such as family, marriage, or friendship
  • Financial strain
  • Stress from an emotional trauma such as the death of a loved one, a natural disaster, criminal victimization, physical abuse, or sexual abuse
  • Stress and symptoms from a serious medical illness
  • Side effects of medication
  • Intoxication with an illicit drug, such as cocaine or amphetamines
  • Drug withdrawal
  • Lack of oxygen

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms may vary from one person to another, and may depend on the severity of the disorder. The most common cases manifest these symptoms:

 

Emotional Symptoms

 

Feelings of apprehension or dread

 

  • Trouble concentrating
  • Feeling tense
  • Anticipating the worst
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Hyper-vigilance (watching for signs of danger when none is