DEFINITION
We are all confronted by anxiety when an unpleasant or even traumatic situation occurs during the day, worrying about an exam, our health or someone else’s. It is a common phenomenon. Anxiety is a reaction to these concerning situations. People who suffer from generalised anxiety disorders have a low anxiety threshold, and even when facing an everyday problem, they will become anxious. For them, everything is a cause for anxiety, and these reactions can, in the long term, affect their emotional, professional, and social lives.
CAUSES
It has been found that generalised anxiety disorder could be genetic, educative, cultural and environmental. People who develop this disorder already have physiological and psychological predispositions that favour it, which can be exacerbated by their educational, personal, and professional environments. Often, generalised anxiety disorder is associated with other psychological problems, such as depression syndrome, phobias (social or agoraphobia), anxiety crises, dependency difficulties, and sometimes behavioural issues.
SYMPTOMS
Most symptoms of generalised anxiety disorders are usually physical, behavioural, and emotional. The physical symptoms (cardiac, respiratory, and digestive) are integrated with the psychological ones and characterised by some apprehension regarding the future. For instance, the person may anticipate an imminent catastrophe/disaster. The symptoms, always active, can fluctuate in intensity.
Symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder
- Insomnia
- Lack of concentration
- Memory problems
- Panic attacks
- Muscular pain and spasms
- Headache
- Severe nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Dependency on alcohol
- Anxiety crises
- Dependency on tobacco
- Dependency on television
TREATMENT
Generalised anxiety disorders potentially affect every aspect of life. You constantly have a feeling of intense discomfort, and loved ones feel helpless and unable to reassure you.
The first step is to contact me at Plaisance Counselling via phone or email to make an appointment. To begin your journey and achieve your goals, seeking medical advice from health professionals will provide a diagnosis and initiate a treatment process.
The treatment can require several sessions in psychotherapy. It is also worth considering activities that can help reduce anxiety, such as Pilates and regular exercise, as well as hobbies like gardening, manual labour, or fishing.
No referral is needed to make an appointment.