Did you know that over 15 million Americans are affected by some form of anxiety? That’s a surprising statistic, but you may also not realize that when left unchecked, anxiety can turn into general anxiety disorder, depression, and panic attacks.
In this article I’ll focus on general anxiety disorder (GAD), its’ causes, and steps you can take to greatly reduce or eliminate general anxiety disorder from your daily life.
First, it’s important to acknowledge that many of us in our culture, believe that we should simply be able to handle our emotions, period. If we can’t then we must be weak, right?
Not so! Read on to learn more…
Just what is Generalized Anxiety Disorder? Another one of those ‘illnesses’ that doctors make up for profit?
The answer is no. GAD is very real!
Sure, virtually everyone has occasional bouts of anxiety, or anxious thought patterns. In contrast, GAD is a state of periodic and elevated anxiety, often characterized by excessive thinking and dwelling on the “what ifs”.
As a result, you may feel that there’s no way out of the vicious cycle of anxiety and worry. You probably have general anxiety disorder/GAD if you have recurring anxiety, as opposed to occasional worry.
What really happens when anxiety escalates into GAD?
To illustrate how anxiety can escalate into the disorder, we’ll use the analogy of a water faucet..
…If the faucet is working properly when turned off, we experience a relaxed home environment – which equates to a relatively anxiety-free existence.
However, if the faucet has a leak and is dripping periodically, you could equate this disruptive drip to that of someone experiencing periodic, but regular feelings of anxiety.
Over time the pipe may still look good, function pretty well, and remain intact. However the leak gets worse, due to continued pressure and the lack of repair. The continued leak, dripping over time, escalates into a steady stream that can no longer be ignored…
…At this point faucet demands your attention, as this unstable situation threatens to burst the pipe. In our analogy, chronic anxiety — or general anxiety disorder has set in, creating an opportunity for a panic attack to occur.
Now that you see how anxiety escalates into a disorder… exactly what causes GAD? As our analogy illustrates, general anxiety disorder is caused by recurring anxiety.
The major causes of anxiety are:
- Repressed emotions
- Stressful, unresolved situations
- A chemical or nutritional imbalance
- Physical, mental or emotional exhaustion caused by stress
So what can you do about it? Here are some proven steps you can take to eliminate General Anxiety Disorder:
First, you want to look at where your anxiety may be coming from. Then, once you are aware of the cause or causes of your anxiety, you can work to reduce or eliminate anxiety entirely.
Here are four steps that you can take to help eliminate GAD:
- Educate yourself. There are many excellent holistic books and classes that help reduce or eliminate anxiety by teaching the principles of the mind-body-emotion connection, as well as anti-stress techniques.
- See a qualified medical professional to get a diagnosis in the event that you have a nutritional or chemical imbalance. You may want to do one or all of the following: a.) a blood screening, b.) a checkup with your physician, and c.) discuss your situation with a psychiatrist (Ph.D.) who understands medications. Your doctor can help you select the appropriate course of action if required.
- Meet with a therapist or support group, which can assist you by teaching healthy ways to deal with conflict, rather than repressing emotions. Therapy can also help you effectively resolve stressful situations. Finally, it can assist with issues around physical, mental or emotional exhaustion, which are often at the root of anxiety. Ultimately, a therapist can provide you with tools and strategies that create more life balance, time, and personal boundaries that support optimal health.
- Practice mind-body stress reducers: Exercise produces the good hormones, such as endorphins, that keeping your mind and body balanced. Some people benefit from Yoga, a practice that incorporates relaxation techniques into exercise and movement. Diet can also play a major role. It’s a good idea to see a naturopath, if your doctor doesn’t use an integrated approach to your health.
Here’s the good news… general anxiety disorder and panic attacks respond well to treatment! Sure, it takes courage and commitment to educate yourself, identify options and take action. But your emotional well-being is always worth the time you invest! After all, emotional health promotes a better quality of life and a greater sense of peace, right?
Wherever you are in your in your path to healing, it’s always good to become more informed about emotional health. When following the 4 steps outlined above, we recommend the Panic Away program as an excellent, holistic tool for treating general anxiety disorder.
You can read our Panic Away Review by Clicking Here. It’s a very credible program, is easy to read, and has great audios and email coaching included.
All the best to you on your journey of healing and self-discovery!
