Worrying or being stressed are completely normal feelings that humans experience from time to time.
Maybe you have a school project due tomorrow that you haven’t started yet.
Maybe you’re car broke down and now you’re going to be late to work because of it.
Or maybe a friend just got dumped by his or her boyfriend or girlfriend and it’s your job to comfort that person.
All of these are situations that can cause stress. Experiencing stress is a part of life but it’s when stress begins to take over your life that it becomes an issue.
Understanding Stress vs. Anxiety
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by chronic and exaggerated worry and tension. A person with GAD constantly stresses about things that everybody has to deal with such as money, health, or work.
Their worrying is irrational and they can’t seem to get through the day without thinking about these things. Some of the physical symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder are:
- headaches
- twitching
- muscle tension
- hot flashes
- irritability
- trembling
- lightheadedness
- lack of breath
- nausea
- trouble sleeping
Click HERE for more information on Psych Central.