Generalized Anxiety Disorder, often abbreviated as GAD, is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry about a variety of everyday things. People with GAD often find it hard to control their worry and may feel anxious most days, making it difficult for them to carry out daily tasks.
Imagine you’re about to go on a roller coaster. You feel a rush of adrenaline, your heart beats faster, and you might even feel a little sick. This is a normal response to a potentially thrilling or scary situation. But for someone with GAD, it’s like being on that roller coaster all the time. They’re constantly feeling worried and anxious, even when there’s no apparent reason to be. It’s as if their “worry switch” is always on, and they can’t seem to turn it off.
Common symptoms of GAD include feeling restless or on edge, being easily fatigued, having difficulty concentrating, experiencing irritability, having muscle tension, and experiencing sleep disturbances. It’s important to note that everyone feels anxious from time to time, but for someone with GAD, these feelings are intense, persistent, and interfere with their daily life.