Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Feeling anxious is sometimes perfectly normal. However, people with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and often affect their daily life.
GAD is a long-term condition which causes you to feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than one specific event.
Symptoms of anxiety
People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed. GAD can cause both psychological (mental) and physical symptoms. These vary from person to person, but can include feeling irritable or worried and having trouble concentrating or sleeping.
Anxiety can affect you physically and psychologically (mentally).
Psychological symptoms of GAD include:
- restlessness
- a sense of dread
- feeling constantly 'on edge'
- difficulty concentrating
- irritability
- impatience
- being easily distracted
The physical symptoms of GAD can include:
- dizziness
- drowsiness and tiredness
- pins and needles
- irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- muscle aches and tension
- dry mouth
- excessive sweating
- shortness of breath
- stomach ache
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- headache
- excessive thirst
- frequent urinating
- painful or missed periods
- difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia)