Anxiety

The word anxiety covers a broad spectrum of subjects and is relatable to the majority of us. To unpack anxiety, we must talk about worry. Worry is a feeling we have all experienced and it is often a normal response; however excessive worry affecting your quality of life is likely to be a problem.

There are different types of anxiety states and conditions, one of them is called generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD occurs when you experience excessive worry on most days and for at least 6 months. The subject of worry is typically varied and cannot be narrowed down to one specific thing but covers a spectrum of different things and settings for example going to the shops or taking calls at work.

The excessive worry typically triggers off the sympathetic nervous system which may give cause to physical symptoms of anxiety, such as:

• Palpitations
• Sweats
• Shakes
• Hyperventilation
• Dizziness
• Chest Pains
• Nausea
• Restless
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Pins and Needles

Several people also report sleep disturbances and disturbances to normal day functioning.

Treatment options depend on overall presentations and dominating features. Often symptoms are present with elements of depression and some antidepressants which have anti-anxiety effects may be useful.

Where physical symptoms dominate, a beta-blocker may have its use.

Psychotherapy is particularly helpful especially in from of controlled behaviour therapy which helps to identify maladaptive thinking processes in thought patterns leading up to excessive worry.

Below is a questionnaire called GAD-7. This is a screening tool for GAD. If you are concerned you may be suffering from excessive worry you may wish to do the questionnaire. We would definitely recommend you see your GP especially if you score 10 or above.