By: Recovery Formula
IntroductIon •
Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), are characterized by persistent and intense symptoms. In fact, to meet formal criteria for GAD, anxiety must be associated with multiple physical symptoms. In youth, the presence of even one of these symptoms is sufficient for a diagnosis to be made.
Common Physical Symptoms Muscle Tension Headache and Dizziness Stomachaches and Other Digestive Problems Tiredness and Insomnia Shortness of Breath Edginess
Muscle Tension •
The muscle tension associated with normative anxiety might involve a brief tensing of the back and neck that relaxes when a threat passes. The muscle tensions described by people with GAD include unrelenting aches and pains in the overly active shoulder, back, neck, and jaw muscles.
Headache and Dizziness •
The psychological distress associated with GAD involves chronic worry for most of one’s waking hours. Thoughts may race down a spiral of anticipation and fear about one topic or may bounce incessantly from one issue or scenario to the next. This psychological experience can result, literally, in an aching head. When accompanied by an increased heart rate and changes in body temperature, dizziness can also occur.
Stomachaches and Other Digestive Problems •
The gut also holds and expresses anxiety. This can take the form of nonspecific unsettling of the stomach, outright nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. Digestive problems can be particularly negatively impactful on day-to-day functioning.
Shortness of Breath •
In the context of increased heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, and/or dizziness, shortness of breath can occur. However, this constellation of symptoms that fit the description of a panic attack, are more likely to occur in those with GAD and panic disorder. They are less common in individuals with uncomplicated GAD.
Edginess • The edginess associated with GAD can manifest behaviorally as irritability or physically as trembling and shaking. The fidgeting or restlessness may be more obvious to observers than to the anxious individual in some cases.
Tiredness and Insomnia •
Chronic worry, simply put, is exhausting. Therefore, it is typical for people with GAD to endorse fatigue. In other cases, the worry or other physical symptoms of anxiety make it difficult either to fall asleep or to stay asleep. Even in the shortterm, this takes a toll on other aspects of physical and psychological wellbeing.
• Recovery Formula is a company who provides the help to deal with anxiety, to their professional growth and skills they use to obtain success.