Being Anxious Over Everything and Nothing
Jesus instructed his followers to be anxious for nothing. A person with Generalized Anxiety Disorder would do well to be able to trust in God and follow that advice. Anxiety can cause sleeplessness, irritability and overall inefficiency in the life of someone that is continually in that state. The cause is unknown, but the disorder usually begins while the people are young children. Because they grow up feeling anxious all the time, it seems normal. To other people around them though, it seems as though they are continually anxious over everything. Even seemingly insignificant circumstances make sufferers of Generalized Anxiety Disorder into worrying people, unable to concentrate on anything other than their concerns.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder Like?
The disorder is similar to some phobias in that there is not rational cause for the fears. The major difference is in the specificity and intensity of the two kinds of fears. Phobias are acutely intense fears about somewhat specific situations. General Anxiety Disorder implies that a person is worried, to a lesser degree, about everything. The psychiatric patients with generalized anxiety worry about nearly everything under the sun. They probably worry about getting sick, the death of themselves and loved ones, wars, allergies and technology. While normal people may exhibit concern over such things, people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder have more frequent and more irrational fears, all the time.
The typical symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder are as follows:
1. A feeling of restlessness does not seem to let up. The person is always on edge and nervous.
2. Exhaustion is a common symptom because a continually anxious person uses quite a lot of energy on worrying.
3. Concentration is very difficult due to the many worries of the day.
4. Irritability is nearly a way of life.
5. Muscles are tense and maybe even sore from bracing against possible calamity.
6. Sleep is hard to come by, especially in consistent or useful amounts of time.
Other Possible Causes for Anxiety
It is important for an anxious person to speak with their psychiatrist about the other parts of their lives when dealing with anxiety. Drugs and other stimuli can also be responsible for excessive worry. Other psychiatric disorders can also cause generalized anxiety. To determine that the anxious patient’s diagnosis is actually Generalized Anxiety Disorder, it is important to rule out any other possible causes for the symptoms. There are medications that can treat the symptoms, but it will not be a solution if the anxiety in itself is not the problem.
General anxiety is a common problem in today’s society. It is a natural reaction to uncertainty in life. Generalized Anxiety Disorder, however, is not so common. People who worry excessively may need psychiatric treatment, but they may also need a change in lifestyle. It is also entirely possible that an overly anxious person needs to find peace in knowing Christ and trusting in God to take care of every need. It is possible that medication will be required to calm minds and nerves, but it is not generally the case.
Frances, Allen MD and First, Michael B. MD. Your Mental Health: A Layman’s Guide to
the Psychiatrist’s Bible. New York: Scribner, 1998.
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