Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Living with generalized anxiety can be exhausting and draining. If you suffer with this condition, it's hard to look forward to each new day, or to enjoy the day as it goes along...because you feel worry, stress, fatigue, and maybe even physical symptoms, too.

Please remember: Even without a formal diagnosis, it can be helpful to realize that the symptoms you are grappling with are not unique to you—that many others have similar symptoms, and that we know how to help you overcome this distress and regain inner peace.

Note: You do not have to have all the symptoms below. Very rarely does somebody have every symptom of any disorder, whether physical or emotional. If you're burdened with a number of the symptoms below, you may be dealing with generalized anxiety.

Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD):

  • Worrying a lot, and finding it difficult to stop worrying. Perhaps even worrying about worrying.

  • Feeling restless or frequently being on edge

  • Inability to relax or let go of physical and mental stress

  • Difficulty Concentrating—losing train of thought, forgetfulness, or mind going blank

  • Muscle Tension

  • Getting easily fatigued

  • Feeling Irritable or annoyed

  • Sleep problems, insomnia, sleep not being restful

  • Difficulty making decisions (out of concern that one might make wrong decision)

  • Excessive sweating

  • Gastrointestinal distress—stomach aches, diarrhea, acid reflux

  • Headaches

 

For children and adolescents, generalized anxiety can also include, in addition the symptoms mentioned above, some of these symptoms, too:

  • Worrying about Catastrophic Events: tornadoes, nuclear attack, war, kidnapping, etc.

  • Worrying about Performance—in schoolwork, in classroom, in sports

  • Worrying about Punctuality—frequently concerned about being on time

  • Anxious about Fitting In—to group of friends, in school or neighborhood

  • Spend excessive amount of time doing homework (because anxious about doing it right)

  • Seek repeated reassurance that they are doing something correctly

  • Have low confidence, and express lack of belief in self, or require a lot of reassurance

  • Perfectionism

     

Should I call to make an appointment?

Most people will experience some of the above symptoms occasionally, at least to a minor degree, and for a short period of time—in such a way that their quality of life, at home, work, school, relationships or community, is not negatively affected. But when a person has a number of anxiety symptoms for a while, and one's quality of life is negatively affected, it's a good idea to deal directly with the anxiety, and start doing what it takes to fix it. Simply call Michael Posner, MSW, LCSW at (918) 809-4777, and we'll find a convenient time for you to come in and begin mastering the anxiety and regaining your peace of mind.