Dissecting the Disorder

**From mayoclinic.com**

It's normal to feel anxious from time to time, especially if your life is stressful. However, if you have ongoing anxiety that interferes with day-to-day activities and relationships and makes it hard to enjoy life, you may have generalized anxiety disorder.


Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary in combination and severity. They can include:

• Constant worrying or obsession about small or large concerns
• My biggest one is money. Even if we have a couple hundred in the bank I freak out that something is going to happen.
• Restlessness and feeling keyed up or on edge
• I'm constantly a bundle of nerves. I don't think I have truly relaxed in a long time.
• Fatigue
• This has only been as of late, but I couldn't tell if it was due to just having a baby or something more.
• Difficulty concentrating or your mind "going blank"
• I'm taking online classes and that's hard enough without an actual "classroom" so to not be able tot hink straight is annoying.
• Irritability
• c.o.n.s.t.a.n.t.l.y   *TMI - even during sex I can get irritated: it's too hot, the blanket's being moved the wrong way, etc.
• Muscle tension or muscle aches
• My entire back is like a board and my shoulders are where I carry my stress.
• Trembling, feeling twitchy or being easily startled
• I have a wicked facial twitch that started about 6-7 years ago. Now I know where it's from.
• Trouble sleeping
• I could never get to sleep easily and now staying asleep is even harder
• Sweating, nausea or diarrhea
• Enough said
• Shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat
• The rapid heartbeat happens off and on by itself, but when I get angry or upset and start to lose control and yell, I think I may actually go stupid. I can't breathe, my chest is tight, I can't see or think straight and I start to sound like I'm hyperventillating.

There may be times when your worries don't completely consume you, but you still feel anxious even when there's no apparent reason. For example, you may feel intense worry about your safety or that of your loved ones, or you may have a general sense that something bad is about to happen.




What Causes GAD?


The exact cause of GAD is not fully known, but a number of factors -- including genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental stresses -- appear to contribute to its development.

• Genetics: Some research suggests that family history plays a part in increasing the likelihood that a person will develop GAD. This means that the tendency to develop GAD may be passed on in families.
• Brain chemistry: GAD has been associated with abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are special chemical messengers that help move information from nerve cell to nerve cell. If the neurotransmitters are out of balance, messages cannot get through the brain properly. This can alter the way the brain reacts in certain situations, leading to anxiety.
• Environmental factors: Trauma and stressful events, such as abuse, the death of a loved one, divorce, changing jobs or schools, may lead to GAD. GAD also may become worse during periods of stress. The use of and withdrawal from addictive substances, including alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, can also worsen anxiety.