Do you suffer from generalized anxiety?

Anxiety is a bizarre thing. And it plagues me.
Anxiety is define as a psychological disorder that can be experienced in many different way, but let's just focuse on generalized anxiety because I am selfish and don't feel like checking out the other one mmmm-k?

Diagnostic.
As a light hypochondriac person, I self-diagnose as having mild “generalized anxiety”. General anxiety is described as:
a relatively common anxiety problem, affecting 3-4% of the population, that turns daily life into a state of worry, anxiety, and fear. Excessive thinking –rumination- and dwelling on the "what ifs" characterizes this anxiety disorder. As a result, the person feels there’s no way out of the vicious cycle of anxiety and worry, and then becomes depressed about life and the state of anxiety they find themselves in.

They go on:
Generalized anxiety usually does not cause people to avoid situations, and there isn’t an element of a "panic attack" involved in the prognosis, either. It’s the ruminating, and inability to shut the mind off that incapacitates a person. A person may realizes these feelings are irrational. Nevertheless, the feelings are very real, and they find themselves confused and unable to take a decision and find a resolution to a “problem”, and then give up and may lose interest in the usual activities they enjoy.

The mode of thinking often involve a type of interpretation of reality –named- “generalization”, where a person fears the very worst when confronted with uncertainties.

Physical “symptoms” of generalized anxiety included: lack of ability to fully relax, and the propensity to fiddle, or an inability to still the body. It is therefore very beneficial for people with generalized anxiety to practice activities that help them have a quiet, reflective time where they can calm down, relax, and feel at peace and tranquility. Yoga or other meditative activities are often recommended.

Normal life stresses may aggravate generalized anxiety. If a person --who typically performs well at work and receives a sense of accomplishment from it-- all of a sudden finds that work has become drudgery; If work is perceived as a negative environment, and the person no longer feels fulfilled; then considerable worry takes place over these situations. As a result, the anticipatory anxiety about going to work can become quite strong.

Cognitive Therapy.
Generalized anxiety has been shown to respond best to cognitive-behavioral therapy, an active therapy that involves more than just talking to a therapist. In CBT, the person gradually learns to see situations and problems in a different perspective and learns the methods and techniques use to alleviate and reduce anxiety. Research indicates that generalized anxiety is fully manageable and can be successfully overcome over the course of about three to four months if the person is motivated and works toward recovery.

Other Problems.
Often, generalized anxiety is associated with other behavioral problems such as ‘procrastination’, and procrastination fuels guilt and generalized anxiety.

Unrealistic expectation of oneself (perfectionism) and of other realities is often another reoccurring thinking pattern. These expectation may stem from expectation learned earlier in childhood, from our parents. Expectations are built from a need to be ‘approved’ of by piers and family. Feelings of unworthiness of other’s respect and love is common. Dependency of other people’s approval is a determinant. People wit generalized anxiety often feel as though others –speculated- opinions of themselves is more important than their own opinion of themselves.

People with generalized anxiety often feel paralyzed because of an habit of catastrophizing. Spontaneity can be difficult and decisions are slow to take. Therefore, it is often recommended that people with generalized anxiety try not to indulge in fantasizing on idealistic dreams, and try to focus on the present moment. Since they have a very strong capacity to self-analysis, imagine and visualize, these capacities are better ‘used’ focusing on positive, realistic opportunities and simple attainable goals. Introspection is a favorite pastime since they are so convinced that there is ‘something that is totally unacceptable about them, something totally disgusting and unlovable”…but this same capacity can often be put to a positive and complete opposite outcome which is very constructive and self empowering.

People with generalized anxiety often face depression because of their perfectionist thought pattern, their refusal to accept their current day to day situation, and unrealistic expectations.

Research shows that GAD often coexist with depression, substance abuse, or other anxiety disorders. Other conditions associated with stress, such as irritable bowel syndrome, often accompany GAD.

Generalized anxiety is often accompanied by poor planning skills, high stress levels, and difficulty in relaxing. This last point is important because it the easiest one in which the therapist can play an especially effective teaching role.