Anxiety

-anxiety is normal and everyone experiences at times

-it triggers our body’s “fight-flight-freeze” response, which prepares the body to defend itself

-this response can become a problem if there is no danger… the body is just reacting like there is!

-sometimes the anxiety can become overwhelming and interfere with our quality of life

-it’s important to learn about anxiety and how to recognize it… this is the first step in successfully managing it!

-affects your body, thoughts and behaviours

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

-main symptom of GAD is worry, although often people with GAD notice the physical symptoms first

-everyone worries from time to time… it’s normal.

-people with GAD worry excessively and uncontrollably and this is when it becomes a problem

-if you notice yourself worrying only when you are experiencing major stresses in your life, this IS NOT Generalized Anxiety Disorder

-people with GAD will worry even when everything is going OK

-people with GAD will worry about the same things other people worry about, but they will worry more and more often than others

-often the worry will have a “chaining” effect, meaning that one worry will lead to another, which will lead to another, and so on

-physical symptoms often include fatigue, sore muscles, trouble sleeping and concentrating

-they have difficult controlling their worries and generally worry about things that might happen in the future “what if?”

-also include heart racing, sweating, feel fidgety, getting easily upset, having an upset stomach

If you think you may have GAD, please see a medical profession to be properly diagnosed and to receive support.

If you have been diagnosed with GAD and are looking for tips on managing this, check out the following link:

http://www.anxietybc.com/resources/selfhelp.php