Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Indecisiveness is very common among people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), making a decision can be very difficult. Individuals with GAD worry about events that have not even happened. Fixating on the outcome of events and thinking of ‘what ifs’ is common. Routine things, such as traveling to work, may cause excessive worry. Overthinking causes restlessness and difficulty in concentrating. The distracting ‘what if’ thoughts create a restless energy that is difficult to extinguish. This can result in lower productivity at work and can affect personal relationships as well.

Generalized anxiety disorder also manifests physically. Physical symptoms of GAD include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Twitching, trembling
• Frequent aches and pains
• Panic attacks
• Profuse sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Chronic indigestion
• Diarrhea

Professional treatment for generalized anxiety disorder includes psychotherapy and medication. Lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques are also beneficial.