We have all been there – the anxious, worried feeling before a big change occurs or before you have to speak in front of a large group of people. Anxiety is a natural reaction to stressful situations, and can even be helpful when it occurs in an appropriate amount and at the right times, such as before an interview or presentation. However, many people feel this kind of anxiety, fear and worry outside of these challenging situations and without a reasonable cause.
Anxiety is not a single condition, but rather an umbrella term that is used for a group of related conditions; such as phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorders. Anxiety is a state which affects the bodily responses, emotions and behaviours of an individual, creating feelings of fear, worry, and unease. This can often becomes so influential over your day-to-day life, that it begins to affect your mood, relationships, and responsibilities.
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterised by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no obvious reasons for this concern. If you suffer from GAD, you may expect the worst and have difficulty suppressing constant worry about health, finances, relationships, work or study. Most likely this fear is unrealistic or out of proportion to the situation.
Other common experiences within GAD and other anxiety disorders include: