While it is normal to feel anxious and nervous from time to time, many individuals suffer from a condition known as generalized anxiety disorder. In normal situations, anxiety can help individuals respond to very real dangers and can even help one to feel motivated in order to excel at work and studies. When an individual suffers from anxiety most of the time and even feels anxious with no apparent reason, they may suffer from an anxiety disorder.  

This type of disorder can disrupt normal daily life; resulting in excessive anxiety and unrealistic worry over any number of circumstances. Such a disorder may also involve other issues such as phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders and panic attacks. 

The signs and symptoms of anxiety disorder can vary from one person to the next. They can also vary in severity. Some common symptoms include: 

• Fatigue

• Impatience

• Irritability

• Restlessness

• Difficulty swallowing

• Feeling on edge

• Easily distracted

• Insomnia

• Muscle tension

• Excessive sweating

• Diarrhea

• Headache 

Many individuals who suffer from this disorder find that even though their worries may not actually consume them, they still feel anxious much of the time. Instead of focusing their anxiety on specific issues, they may feel anxious about every aspect of their life. Frequently, individuals feel a sense of impending doom, as if something bad is about to happen; even though there may be no apparent danger.  

Typically, this type of anxiety disorder begins at an early age. The symptoms of this disorder may develop slowly.  

All anxiety, regardless of the trigger, is caused by a release of hormones that prepare you to respond to threats or danger. This is known as the fight or flight response. Unfortunately, when your anxiety grows out of control, this biological response can occur on an almost continuous basis. This can happen even during times when you might otherwise be calm.    

Factors that can contribute to this include: 

• Other medical conditions such as an overactive thyroid gland

• Stress

• Personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder

• Heredity 

The most important fact about generalized anxiety disorder that should be understood is that while living with it can be a burden, there are successful treatments available.  The first step in achieving treatment is to be diagnosed with the disorder. Typically, this anxiety disorder can be set apart from normal everyday anxiety based on how long the anxiety lasts. The affect it has on your life can also be a factor in determining whether you suffer from anxiety disorder or not. By most standards, if you have suffered from intense anxiety for six months or more, you may be suffering from GAD.  

A doctor will generally also perform a physical exam as well as a psychological evaluation in order to rule out any other medical problems that could be causing similar symptoms.  

If you believe that you suffer from GAD, it is important to seek treatment as this disorder can develop into other conditions as well as prolonging any existing illnesses.  By educating yourself about generalized anxiety disorder you can take one step closer to recovery.