Anxiety is a feeling of being ill at ease, fearful and worrying about lots of things. This can be severe or mild. Everyone has these feelings sometimes, for example, when going to a job interview or sitting a test.

This is perfectly normal and helpful as it can make us motivated and helps us to concentrate. However, sometimes, if the worry and restless feelings persist and start to affect your sleep and concentration, and give you physical symptoms such as dizziness and/or palpitations, you may have Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

What is it?

GAD is a very common condition that makes you feel anxious about lots of issues, rather than one specific event, most of the time.

As soon as one anxious thought is resolved, another may appear about a different issue. You will feel anxious most days and rarely feel relaxed. GAD can cause a change in your behaviour and the way you think and feel about things, often leading you to avoid other people and maybe take time off work. This can make you feel even worse as you then worry more and increase the sense of dread. Persistent anxiety can also lead us to feel low and depressed as life becomes very frightening.

Common Symptoms

Other symptoms described by people with GAD are as follows:

• worrying excessively
• restlessness and a sense of dread
• feeling constantly “on edge”
• difficulty concentrating
• irritability
• headache
• dizziness
• a noticeably strong, fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• shortness of breath
• muscle aches and tension
• trembling or shaking
• dry mouth
• excessive sweating
• stomach ache/ feeling sick
• pins and needles
• difficulty falling or staying asleep
• tiredness