Anxiety and Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Do you feel anxious, often worrying about little things in life? Do you find yourself anxious or fearful of the future? Does it look bleak, even when you know rationally it shouldn’t and doesn’t? What would your life be like if you were able to overcome irrational anxiety? What would it feel like to find yourself more relaxed and confident in yourself and your future?

   What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of unease. When faced with a stressful situation, for example a job interview or illness, it is natural for one to feel anxious. It is normal to feel anxious when facing something difficult or dangerous. The difference is that some people develop and experience high levels of anxiety on a regular or daily basis.

However, for 10% of the population in the UK, anxiety interferes with everyday life. Anxiety is considered abnormal when:

• it is prolonged or severe
• it is interfering with everyday activities such as going to work or socialising
• it happens in the absence of a stressful event

   What is generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)?

Generalised anxiety disorder is evident when every day life turns into a state of worry, anxiety and fear. Excessive thinking and dwelling on the "what ifs" of life are indicative of this type of anxiety. As a result of this state of mind the person feels a continual cycle of anxiety and worry, which in turn, adds to the problem.

Unlike panic attacks, generalised anxiety usually does not cause avoidance of situations, nor panic attacks themselves. More characteristic of this condition is the continual thinking, ruminating and dwelling on their situation, combined with the feeling that they can’t shut their mind off or change their thought patterns.

   What does it feel like?

Feelings of worry, fear and a lack of interest in life are common, along with a loss of energy. Sometimes there is no obvious "trigger" for these thoughts and feelings and the person realises they are being irrational.

It is common to have fluctuations in mood with generalised anxiety. These anxious feelings and moods feed off themselves, continuing the cycle of anxiety.

The physical symptoms of anxiety are caused by the brain sending messages and chemicals to parts of the body to prepare for the "fight or flight" response. The heart, lungs and other parts of the body work faster in order to prepare for the fight or flight. The brain also releases stress hormones, including adrenaline which in turn causes the following symptoms as a result:

— quickened heartbeat or palpitations
— tightening of the chest
— abdominal discomfort
— diarrhoea
— dry mouth
— shallow breathing
— dizziness
— headaches

The psychological symptoms can include:

— irritability or anger
— insomnia
— lack of concentration
— feeling dis-empowered

Characteristics of social phobia may sometimes be present, such as high levels of self-consciousness in some situations.

   What causes it?

Every thought we have produces a chemical reaction in the body, no matter how pleasant or not, no matter how positive or not. People who live with high levels of anxiety often experience many negative, irrational and extreme thoughts. Many of these thoughts seem automatic, or out of the conscious awareness. Typical anxiety making thoughts can be "What if I make a mistake?", "What if something terrible happens to me or my family?", "What if my boss doesn’t like me?". Thoughts such as these are based in fear and fear is related to anxiety.

Whatever we focus on, we experience. Research has shown that anxious people tend to focus solely on their symptoms of anxiety or negative thoughts and triggers, often looking out for “keeping trouble at bay”.

Our thoughts stem from underlying beliefs about ourselves and the way we think about the world. Most people develop their belief system during their childhood. We are not often consciously aware of our beliefs as the belief system, for the most part, is unconscious. Our beliefs directly influence our attitudes, thoughts, expectations, emotions and ultimately our behaviour. No matter what the problem being worked on, Angela’s experience with clients is that if a client changes their beliefs and subsequently their thoughts about something, they can change their feelings and behaviours.

Sometimes people with anxiety suppress their emotions. When we suppress our emotions they will surface at various times throughout our life, especially at times of increased stress and negative emotion. Expression of these emotions often assist in minimising anxiety.

Low self-esteem or lack of self-worth are also common traits of someone who thinks anxiously, which, in turn, adds to the cycle of anxiety.

Research has shown that high consumption of caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and stimulant drugs, can increase levels of anxiety. Cannabis, even in moderation, has also been shown to trigger anxiety... It is important to be aware that while anxiety might have developed due to particular experiences or reasons, there may also be things you are doing in order to maintain the anxiety. Therefore it is important that you look at your lifestyle as a whole if you wish to lower your anxiety levels.