First of all, I AM NOT A DOCTOR. With that said, I am someone who deals with generalized anxiety and panic disorder. The most important thing to understand is that stress is very different from an anxiety disorder. Everyone gets stressed, and that's healthy, but anxiety disorders are much more common than you think. Take a look at this list to see if you might be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
1. Constant worrying or obsession with little to no ability to let go.
If you always seem to be on edge, or have been feeling no release from worry, it's possible it isn't just stress. I'll get to the physical symptoms that can allude to this down the list, but the most common description of this feeling is a sinking tight sensation in the chest and/or stomach.
2. Unwanted thoughts (like worst-case scenarios).
This is just like when you get a text from someone saying, "we need to talk," and your mind shoots a million different places to try and guess what lies ahead. What's different is this is an everyday thing. You always look to the future and it's hard to keep your brain from diving deep into the unwanted and sometimes terrifying possibilities.
3. Difficulty making decisions due to fear of the unknown.
For example, there was a point this past year when I spent weeks in turmoil over possibly switching my major. Ultimately, I decided to stay in my current major because I am too afraid of wasting time or money if I don't succeed. This is a bigger decision than some of the day-to-day decisions we make, but anxiety really affects those decisions too.
4. Irritability.
When someone in a movie is visibly on edge, anything makes them jump. Since people with anxiety tend to be on edge the majority of the time, small things can set off anger, frustration, or fear. Small things will annoy you easily sometimes.
5. Fatigue.
Like depression, anxiety can suck so much energy out of a person. It can be hard to get out of bed some days, and sometimes social interaction can be draining. You may be looking forward to a nap more than your friend's birthday party, and sometimes you'll even cancel your plans just to stay in by yourself.
6. Irrational fears.
Zombie apocalypse. Being abducted by aliens. Tsunamis every time you are near a beach. Catastrophic mass destruction. Hidden cameras in your home. Not all irrational fears are super extreme, but they are still irrational and damaging to your peace.
7. Suicidal thoughts.
This is extreme, but this can occur in severe cases. It may feel like you have such a weight on yourself and everything is negative, although this isn't the reality, it can feel that way. If you are having suicidal thoughts, you need to seek help immediately. There are resources and people who are more than eager to help you through your difficult times, and you are never alone.
Remember, a medical professional needs to evaluate you to confirm a diagnosis for GAD. This is just a very short list of possible symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. If you are experiencing multiple of these symptoms, and they are recurrent or affecting your daily life, please seek professional help. You don't have to be ashamed and you don't have to go it alone. You can at least gain some control in your life, and maybe even relieve your anxiety considerably. All it takes is a phone call to freedom from your own mind. You are brave enough, strong enough, and worthy of a healthy, good life.
Editor's note: The views expressed in this article are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
