Everyone feels anxious from time to time. But when anxiety begins to interfere with your family, relationships, career...your life, you may have an anxiety disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is defined as:
Unrealistic or excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) about two or more life circumstances. A good example of this is someone who worries about their children and their finances without good reason (their children are in no danger and their job is secure). If this has persisted for longer than six months and the person is bothered more days than not, then a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is warranted. In children and adolescents, this may take the form of anxiety and worry about academic, athletic, and social performance.

The following are examples of common symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder:

Motor tension
1. Trembling, twitching, or feeling shaky
2. Muscle tension, aches, or soreness
3. Restlessness
4. Easy fatigability

Autonomic hyperactivity
5. Shortness of breath or smothering sensations
6. Palpitations or accelerated heart rate (tachycardia)
7. Sweating, or cold clammy hands
8. Dry mouth
9. Dizziness or lightheadedness
10. Nausea, diarrhea, or other abdominal distress
11. Flushes (hot flashes) or chills
12. Frequent urination
13. Trouble swallowing or "lump in throat"

Vigilance and scanning
14. Feeling keyed up or on edge
15. Exaggerated startle response
16. Difficulty concentrating or "mind going blank" because of anxiety
17. Trouble falling or staying asleep
18. Irritability

If you identified with at least 6 of the following 18 symptoms, (do not include symptoms present only during panic attacks), you are not alone. There are effective treatment programs available for you. Click here to find a qualified therapist in your area.

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