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The Anxiety Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

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Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a disorder that I struggle with personally. It is when a person has a tense feeling of stress, and anxiety for long periods of time without any real cause of it. Even though everyone has fears, and has stress from time to time it isn’t harmful unless the anxiety and stress is keeping someone from living their life, and relaxing. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is different from other anxiety disorders because panic attacks rarely occur, and instead an overpowering sense of dread is long lasting.
People with GAD, and myself have fears that other people without the disorder have, except the fears are taken to a new level. For example, I am a person with GAD who has an extreme fear of flying on airplanes. I will try to avoid flying on airplanes as much as possible, and even cancel plans or vacations because of my fear. Over spring break I was supposed to fly to Costa Rica for a study abroad class but cancelled a few weeks before because of all the stress of having to fly on a plane. For me, when I’m on an airplane I feel that if I don’t constantly worry, or repeat certain phrases then something bad is going to happen.
Other symptoms of GAD are difficulty falling asleep, and staying asleep because of all of the unexplainable stress, and anxiety. People also may struggle with excessive stomach problems such as Diarrhea, or Nausea. People with GAD can have muscle aches, cramps, or muscle tightness, and feel restless all day without relief, or able to

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