Everyone worries; It’s simply how connected we are as humans. Our fears are meant to protect us in times of danger. But when that fear turns into generalized anxiety disorder (the uninvited guest you can’t leave even when things “should” seem normal), there’s likely an underlying reason that can be controlled. Believe me, I know.
Adam and I were first-time parents when we had no contact with our parents. It wasn’t a quick decision; evolved. Initially, we tried to reduce our communication and set some boundaries. Our parents met our decisions with force, threats and challenges.
My anxiety during that time went from the usual daily worries, like what we’re having for dinner and whether I’m giving our newborn the right amount of formula, to full-blown relentless apprehension. What would happen if our parents showed up and didn’t leave? What would happen if they called lawyers or made more threats? What if our child becomes traumatized like us? What if something happens to Adam? What happens if something happens to me? I feared everything.
I knew it wasn’t just stress. This particular experience lasted months beyond my social anxiety, which I had dealt with for years. Anxiety was a contact companion. You don’t have to go through something as significant as we did to have a similar experience.
Casual worry can become an overwhelming force that turns daily life into a daily struggle of what ifs and fear of the unknown. This level of intensity is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Once I realized what it was, I was finally able to find a solution and get back in the driver’s seat.
GAD is the friend who expects the worst and always hangs out at your house without warning or intention to come and go. It is a common condition, not a personal fault. Instead of focusing on a specific fear (such as a fear of bugs), GAD is a general fear that can cling to any facet of life. It’s exhausting.
GAD can be considered a disability depending on its severity and how much it affects a person’s ability to function on a daily basis. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognizes mental health conditions like GAD in the US as disabilities if they substantially hinder work, school, social interactions, or other major life activities.
The good news (I guess) is that you are not alone. Although the disorder can appear at any time in life, it usually appears in early adulthood (around age 30) and mainly in women.
Common Triggers for Worrying Too Much
Anxiety can appear randomly. Identifying what triggers your stress responses will help you manage your symptoms. Stress can arise from environmental factors such as:
- Work stress: Deadlines and responsibilities can be overwhelming.
- Relationship Dynamics: Even the best relationships can cause stress, from conflict to dealing with complexities.
- Financial struggles: Worries about money can be incredibly discouraging.
Anxiety is not something you can turn off and it is not something you did to cause it. It can be as simple as genetics and as complicated as life experiences, especially trauma. Genetics laid the foundation and life provided the construction team. Be kind to yourself; Your anxiety is much more than just “being sensitive.”
Not only can triggers affect you mentally, but anxiety can also manifest in physical symptoms. GAD has serious consequences for your body. With your mind in overdrive, it’s no surprise that fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, and that tight feeling in your chest can follow suit. Lifestyle changes and finding healthy tools to break the cycle will give you the power back.
Diagnosis and treatment options
It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider if you think you might have GAD. Your provider will help you determine if your anxiety goes beyond everyday stress, asking questions such as how often anxiety occurs and how intense it is, and ruling out other potential causes. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, treatment options may include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This option challenges negative thought patterns and replaces them with more balanced ones. CBT can change your perspective and help you train your brain to ask whether the worst-case scenario is likely to happen.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you accept hard emotions without letting them control your life.
- Medicine: Sometimes therapy isn’t enough and that’s completely okay. Medications can regulate brain chemistry or provide short-term relief. The good news is that there are effective medications that can significantly improve your symptoms.
More information about medications
Here is a list of the types you could take to treat GAD (Medical News Today):
- SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): These medications regulate your serotonin levels to improve your mood and relieve anxiety.
- SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors): They target serotonin and norepinephrine to control stress responses.
- Benzodiazepines: Short-term relief is best used as needed due to its potential for dependency.
- Buspirone: A slower, gentler option for long-term treatment without the same risks as benzodiazepines.
Find support
You don’t have to do it alone. Lighten your emotional load with support groups that ‘get it’. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers many resources, including research, clinical trials, and more information. Finding support is a step toward empowerment and conquering anxiety.
Building a healthier lifestyle
Therapy or medication alone will not completely resolve your anxiety. A lifestyle change in your daily habits, routines and mindset to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being can be very beneficial. Here are some ways you can implement lifestyle changes:
- Exercise: Yoga, walking, or a brisk bike ride can burn off that anxious energy and flood your brain with feel-good endorphins.
- Awareness: Meditation and deep breathing can keep you grounded in the present and stop racing thoughts in their tracks.
- Stress management: It’s essential to set aside time to relax, engage in creative hobbies, and find ways to reduce stress. Journaling can help you untangle your thoughts and put them into perspective. Breaking goals into small pieces will help you feel more empowered.
Conclusion
Managing anxiety is about finding balance, whether it’s knowing when to seek help, when to take action, and when to give yourself some grace. Therapy, medication or lifestyle changes are just some of the tools. Remember, progress is not linear, but every small step counts. You deserve calm, you deserve support and you deserve peace. Take the next step. Your future self will thank you.
Do you have General Anxiety Disorder?
Please send us a comment below. You may be interested in our article on C-PTSD and parenting with trauma.
Disclaimer: All content and information on this website, including our recipes and blog articles, is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological or health advice (for that always seek the help of a professional in these areas). We do not guarantee that the information presented here is free of errors or omissions, although we make every effort to provide information supported by research.
