What is GAD?

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, counselor nor a specialist.  The things I say in here are not for medicinal purposes.  I have found that writing helps ease my anxiety and the symptoms that go along with it.  This is not meant to harm, offend or piss anyone off.  These are MY thoughts and feelings and I've added some comedy relief.  This is the way I am dealing with anxiety.  It has been said that laughter is the BEST medicine, although I've had to take Lortabs in the past so I tend to disagree. But anyways...grab a seat, a Xanax, do some deep breathing and enjoy yourself.

What is GAD? Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GO AWAY DAMN-IT?  I'll take the second choice for $500 Alex.

Anyone with GAD will tell you that this "condition" is for the birds and you want it to go away.  There's a catch though.  It doesn't just go away.  

According to AnxietyCentre.com the definition of someone with GAD is someone who experiences anxiety on a day to day basis.  The worry becomes chronic and causes them to worry about things that don't need to be worried about.  

The site goes on to say:  "Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder are always anticipating doom, disaster, and the worst-case scenarios. They worry about their health, money, family, work, and the world in general. Their reason for worry is often hard to pinpoint. Even the thought of getting through another day can bring on anxiety.  Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder feel that they can’t stop worrying, even though they know the subject they are worrying about isn’t that serious."  (via AnxietyCentre.com)

As if the "GO AWAY DAMNIT" blues haven't kicked in yet - we get to the physical symptoms of GAD.  The daily aches and pains that you've never experienced before and now can't get rid of.   There HUNDREDS of physical symptoms such as acute or chronic fatigue; headaches; muscle tension, stiffness, and even debilitating pain; general aches and pains; difficulty swallowing or feeling like there is something stuck in their throat; trembling; uncontrollable twitching; irritability; hot and cold flashes; profuse sweating for no apparent reason; and lightheadedness or dizziness. 

You can have one, ten or twenty of these symptoms at the same time.  Some appear only when you're experiencing anxiety and some come and go as they please.  And they don't just hang around for a few minutes, they can last for DAYS. 

With these symptoms coming and going, it can wear on your nerves to where you think you're going crazy.  I mean really, can I be hot, cold, sweaty, trembling, irritable, dizzy, stiff and numb all at the same time?  And when you experience all this at the same time, you start thinking you need to be in a room with rubber walls singing Kumbaya and eating tapioca pudding because you sure don't feel "normal".  

And so it goes.....