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How to Tell if Your Anxiety is a Serious Disorder

Everyone gets anxious from time to time—before a big exam, during a job interview, becoming a new parent. In situations like these, not only is anxiety normal, it actually serves a purpose (more on that later). But what about feeling anxious all the time? Or feeling anxious for no particular reason at all? That’s a different story.

In this post, we’ll show you how to tell the difference between every day, run-of-the-mill anxiety and something called generalized anxiety disorder, which is a treatable mental health disorder.

What Purpose does Anxiety Serve?

Believe it or not, some psychologists theorize that anxiety in humans arose as a defense mechanism to help us steer clear of potentially dangerous or risky situations—wandering into a dark cave in search of food, for example.

In this case, it’s possible that anxiety serves as a natural warning sign to slow down and proceed with caution. In people with generalized anxiety disorder, though, anxiety runs amok, causing us to feel irrationally anxious to such an extreme that we may not be able to function as we normally would.

4 Signs Your Anxiety is Out of Control

  1. Your Anxiety is Excessive: You seem to spend a lot more time worrying about things than paying attention to the people around you.
  2. Your Anxiety is Intrusive: It keeps you awake at night or makes it difficult to concentrate on anything else.
  3. Your Anxiety is Persistent: You don’t just get anxious every once in a while, you typically feel anxious for days or weeks at a time.
  4. Your Anxiety is Debilitating: It keeps you from your daily life, like attending work or class, running errands or even answering the phone when it rings.

If you found yourself nodding your head to these generalized anxiety symptoms, it could be an indication that further evaluation by a medical professional is in order. Your doctor can help you rule out certain medical conditions that can mimic the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Once you have a better idea of what you’re dealing with, you can then take the next step toward getting better.

Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

If the answer to the question: “Do I have anxiety?” is determined to be a “yes,” you might be wondering how generalized anxiety disorder is commonly treated. No two people are exactly the same, so it’s important to find a plan that works for you. Don’t settle for a one-size-fits-all approach, or assume that what worked for your friend will be effective for you. Treatment for generalized anxiety disorder may include a combination of the following approaches:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Medication
  • Healthy Diet & Exercise
  • Mindfulness
  • Deep Breathing
  • Muscle Relaxation

If You’re Ready for Help with Your Anxiety, Growth Extended is Here for You

If you or someone you care about is struggling with anxiety, we are here to help. Our Admissions Specialists can receive calls 24/7, and we offer free telephone assessments. At Growth Extended we offer a caring staff, comprehensive holistic treatment and extraordinary facilities to provide a safe and healing environment for treating generalized anxiety disorder. Learn more about how we can help, or contact us today.