Anxiety might just be one of the most inexplicable and misunderstood mental health conditions, yet it is the most common.
Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety at some point in their lives, and you would agree – it’s not pleasant.
However, a mental health condition only becomes a disorder when it starts to affect one’s daily functioning over time. My anxious tendencies manifested rather early on in life – it began with ‘nervousness’ before an oral presentation or a school concert, which was often overlooked, or the panic attacks that preceded tests and exams.
As it persisted into adulthood, it began to significantly impact my daily life.
I was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Worry and fear permeated every aspect of my existence, and after numerous examinations and evaluations, I was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) with panic attacks – somewhat different from panic disorder.
To be debilitated by a feeling that you cannot fully explain, yet are constantly trying to understand, is a different type of struggle. So, let’s shed some light on it.
What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
GAD is a chronic mental health condition characterised by excessive, uncontrollable worry or anxiety about various aspects of life, such as work, relationships, health, and everyday situations.
Unlike normal anxiety, which everyone experiences from time to time, GAD involves heightened and prolonged periods of anxiety that can be debilitating.
My first panic attack
I remember my first real panic attack so clearly.
It was in my early teenage years; I was about to go grocery shopping with my mom. As I reached for the car door handle, I froze! Tremors, hyperventilation and tears overwhelmed me for reasons I was unaware of at the time. It felt as though I was having a heart attack, even though I wasn’t.
After the first one, my panic attacks occurred more frequently, but I learned to identify my triggers and employ management techniques when they happened. What still frightens me is that sometimes, there’s no identifiable trigger at all. My anxiety just runs rampant.
Living with GAD
There was a time in my early 20s when I felt so angry about having an anxiety disorder because it seemed like the fear and constant worrying about everything was holding me back.
It led to last-minute cancellations with friends because I was feeling anxious and couldn’t get out of bed, or I needed someone to accompany me to social gatherings because I was “worried.” When asked what I was worried about, my response would be, “I don’t know.”
It may sound like nothing, but it was everything…
Symptoms of GAD to look out for:
- Excessive worry
- Restlessness
- Fatigue
- Muscle tension
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Overthinking
Throughout my experience with anxiety, one of the most challenging patterns I still grapple with is dealing with scenarios and possible outcomes for the past, present, and future, in my head in a healthy manner. It’s exhausting to keep up with intense worry and fear.
At the moment, my anxiety predominantly affects my work life. Being in an industry that requires a strong social element is daunting. Often, before events, I sit in my car, gaze into the mirror, and talk myself up, “Right, it’s time to put on your Fashion Editor pants – you can do this!” just to calm the anxiety.
Management strategies for GAD
Now, at the age of 29, I still don’t fully understand why I feel anxious all the time, but I’ve become very adept at listening to my body and giving it what it needs. It motivates me to experience new things and pursue opportunities I once thought I’d always miss out on.
My management tips:
Seek professional help: The first step in managing GAD is to seek help from a mental health professional. Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can be highly effective in treating GAD.
Medication: In some cases, medication may be prescribed by a healthcare provider to help manage the symptoms of GAD.
Lifestyle changes: Incorporating healthy habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep, can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms. My fitness journey and occasional walks have become my saving grace.
Stress management techniques: Learning stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can help alleviate anxiety.
Support system: Lean on friends and family for emotional support, and consider joining a support group to connect with others who understand your struggles. This might be the most important one because not everyone will understand what and how you are feeling, so having good and positive people around you helps.
Self-care: Prioritize self-care activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it’s reading a book, taking a bath, or practicing a hobby.
Today, on World Mental Health Day, we think about the millions of people worldwide who battle with mental health conditions. If you or someone you know is struggling with GAD, it may not be easy to understand what the person is experiencing, but offering support in any way you can is crucial.
Living with a mental health condition is not the end of the road; it might just be a pause, a chance to reflect, learn, understand, and practice management to facilitate healing.
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Feature Image: @amylee___xx/Instagram
