The Truth About Chronic Anxiety Disorder

Chronic Anxiety Disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder, is a disorder characterized by exaggerated tension and worry, even when no valid reason for it exists and nothing has provoked it.

This anxiety disorder can often impact daily life and activities that range from school work, to job performance and even personal relationships. Examples would be overly fixating on what grade will come from a test, worrying about being fired when no real cause exists, and constant concern and insecurity about a partner.

This anxiety disorder can even extend to excessive worry over a comment of a coworker, or mis-reading the actions and comments of a partner. Even when the reality proves that there no reason for the concern and worry.

The symptoms of chronic anxiety disorder are far reaching but tend to center around two central areas:  emotional and physical

The emotional symptoms can include irritability, restlessness, feelings of apprehension, trouble concentrating, feeling tense, being on guard for 'the worst' or danger.

The physical symptoms tend to include fatigue, headaches, muscular aches and tension, sweating and hot flashes.  Insomnia, shortness of breath, and diarrhea can also manifest.

Typically, treatment requires a professional like a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. However, some self help steps do exist and one of the more popular methods is known as 'A.W.A.R.E.'.

A: Anxiety Acceptance - try not to fight what you are feeling. Instead, attempt to replace your negative feelings with acceptance. Resistance can often prolong the unpleasant feelings.

W: Watching Your Anxiety - try to take an unbiased point of view (this can clearly be difficult). practice being detached to help you deal with the anxiety from a 'fact' standpoint.

A: Act On The Anxiety - try acting as if you are not anxious. Hopefully this help you learn how to function with the anxiety. Breath slowly and try to remain calm instead of letting the anxiety get the better of you.

R: Repeat - continually repeat the steps and watch your progress

E: Expectations - attempt to be optimistic and expect the best, and realize that some anxiety is perfectly normal and acceptable, but exaggerating it is often unreasonable and unhealthy

Through consistent and devoted effort, it is entirely possible to overcome your chronic anxiety disorder.