Worrying more than usual about everyday issues, experiencing panic attacks without any apparent cause, or feeling constant anxiety may be signs of generalized anxiety, a mental disorder that affects both children and adults and which, according to specialists, is more common in women.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by extreme and disproportionate worry about common situations such as health, money, or the future.
Those who suffer from it can become convinced of catastrophic scenarios: from fearing a fatal outcome after a medical diagnosis to imagining financial ruin due to a simple mismatch in the monthly budget.
When these worries intensify to the point of interfering with daily activities and causing physical symptoms, specialists confirm the diagnosis of generalized anxiety.
A disorder that affects the body and mind
Generalized anxiety is often accompanied by emotions such as sadness, hopelessness, or melancholy, which increases the risk of developing various types of depression. Like other mental disorders, it develops gradually and can become dangerous if not treated promptly.
Among the most common symptoms of generalized anxiety are:
- Difficulty concentrating and loss of recent memory, due to the mind being constantly occupied with negative thoughts.
- Sleep disorders, including both insomnia and hypersomnia, are caused by excessive thinking or mental exhaustion.
- Physical discomfort, such as headaches, stomach problems, hair loss, dry skin, or a feeling of body aches.
- Low mood, with frequent episodes of sadness, discouragement, and melancholy.
- Nervous tics and involuntary movements, including excessive blinking, joint cracking, grimacing, or nail-biting.
- Panic attacks, considered the most severe symptom, include accelerated heart rate, cold sweats, tremors, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and numbness in the extremities.
- Social isolation, where the person avoids situations that can trigger anxiety, which leads to loneliness, although this in turn increases emotional distress.
Diagnosis and treatment
The first step in treating generalized anxiety is to obtain a medical and psychological diagnosis. Specialists recommend avoiding self-diagnosis and seeking professional help if you notice persistent symptoms.
Treatment usually includes a personalized plan that combines:
- Psychological therapy, mainly cognitive-behavioral.
- Use of psychotropic drugs under medical prescription.
- Breathing and relaxation techniques that help stabilize the nervous system.
Generalized anxiety disorder is increasingly being studied by the scientific community, but it still represents a public health challenge due to its emotional, social, and physical implications. Recognizing its symptoms early and seeking professional care is essential to avoid serious complications such as depression or, in extreme cases, suicide.