Understanding and Managing Anxiety Disorders

 GAD is marked by ongoing, hard-to-switch-off worry about everyday areas of life—health, finances, family, work, and the future—even when there’s little immediate reason to be concerned. People often anticipate worst-case scenarios, which can drain energy and make it tough to focus or relax.

Common symptoms

• Feeling restless or “on edge”
   
• Getting tired easily
   
• Trouble concentrating or mind going blank
   
• Irritability
   
• Muscle tension or aches
   
• Sleep problems (difficulty falling/staying asleep or unrestful sleep)

Panic disorder involves recurring, unexpected panic attacks sudden waves of intense fear with physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, numbness/tingling, or a feeling of impending doom. Many people begin to worry about the next attack and may avoid places or situations where episodes have happened before.

Common signs:

• Repeated, sudden panic attacks
   
• Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat
   
• Sweating, trembling, or shaking
   
• Shortness of breath or choking sensations
   
• Feeling unreal or detached (derealization/depersonalization)
   
• Fear of losing control, “going crazy,” or dying
   
• Persistent anxiety about future attacks
   
• Avoiding situations linked to past attacks