The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that approximately 40 million American adults are living with an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder causes disruptive symptoms that persist for at least six months and interfere with daily living. The fearfulness and other classic anxiety symptoms that permeate the lives of people with anxiety disorders can be treated with medical, cognitive and behavioral therapies.
Exaggerated and Uncontrollable Worry
People with generalized anxiety disorder live in a state of virtually incessant worry, despite a lack of events or circumstances to trigger such a response. Notably, people with this disorder are aware that their worry is excessive, yet they are unable to control it.
Inability to Relax and Sleep Disturbances
An inability to relax goes hand in hand with the incessant worry experienced by people with generalized anxiety disorder. The NIMH notes that sleeping difficulties often accompany the inability to relax. People with anxiety disorders often have difficulty falling asleep, and may have frequent awakenings throughout the night.
Difficulty Concentrating
The Mayo Clinic notes that the state of fear and worry that permeates the lives of people with anxiety disorders often makes it difficult for them to concentrate. Worry creeps in and distracts their attention.
Irritability and Restlessness
Worry about a specific event or situation commonly provokes irritability and restlessness. "Pacing the floors" is a common way of expressing the restlessness that accompanies worry. For people with anxiety disorders, this state of being on edge is nearly incessant, explains Dr. Michael Gliatto in an article on generalized anxiety disorder published in "American Family Physician."
Exaggerated Startle Reflex, Trembling and Twitching
The NIMH reports that a common symptom of generalized anxiety disorder is an exaggerated startle reflex. A pervasive sense of underlying fearfulness fuels this jumpiness. Trembling and muscle twitching are physical symptoms that often accompany anxiety disorders.
Headaches, Muscle Aches and Tension
Frequent headaches, muscle aches and chronic muscle tension are common physical symptoms of anxiety disorders, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The inability to relax and sleep well contributes to these symptoms.
Nausea, Stomach Upset and Diarrhea
The Mayo Clinic advises that gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, stomach upset and diarrhea are common among people with generalized anxiety disorder. Nervousness about a stressful event often provokes the sensation of the stomach being "in knots." People with generalized anxiety disorder experience this sensation frequently.
Sweating, Lightheadedness and Breathlessness
The persistent state of heightened fear that accompanies generalized anxiety disorder often causes symptoms such as excessive sweating, lightheadedness and breathlessness, advises the NIMH. Hot flashes and difficulty swallowing may also occur.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: Mental Disorders in America, Anxiety Disorders
- National Institute of Mental Health: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- National Institute of Mental Health: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Common Symptoms
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
- Mayo Clinic: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
