Do you ever find yourself worrying about work, family, church, friends, and bills… all at the same time? Do you catch yourself ruminating about the past, stressing about the present, and fearing the future? Do these thoughts ever get so loud they feel all-consuming?

If so, you are not alone! Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects millions of Americans each year, making it one of the most common anxiety disorders. Although it is common to dismiss anxiety as a personality type (“Oh, I’m just a worrier!”), chronic anxiety is not about weakness or overreacting. And, with the right support, you can learn how to calm your nervous system, reclaim your focus, and reduce your worry.

What is GAD?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is marked by persistent, excessive worry about everyday events and situations. Unlike normal worry, which will come and go, GAD is long-lasting, hard to control, and affects multiple areas of life, including work, school, health, and relationships.

Self-Check-In

Remember: everyone worries sometimes, but if your worry has become constant or unmanageable lately, it may be worth taking a mindful moment now to check in with yourself. Let’s pause and think about the last two weeks. Ask yourself how often you’ve been bothered by… 

• Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge 

• Not being able to stop or control your worrying 

• Worrying too much about different things 

• Having trouble relaxing 

• Being so restless that it’s hard to sit still 

• Becoming easily annoyed or irritable 

• Feeling afraid as though something awful might happen 

The above are examples of typical experiences for someone with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). While this article is not a diagnosis, this can be a helpful tool in recognizing patterns within yourself and deciding whether it’s time to reach out for support.  

And remember: if you scored yourself high on the above check-in, this does not mean you are weak or failing. It simply means you could benefit from some tools and guidance to manage worry.   

And that’s where we come in! Here at Wellspring, our therapists are trained to help you:  

• Identify and challenge your worry patterns 

• Learn skills to cope with the mental, emotional, and physical symptoms of anxiety 

• Build your tolerance for the uncertainty 

• Improve your daily functioning 

Generalized Anxiety is common and treatable. Relief is possible, and it’s within your reach. Call today and receive the guidance, reassurance, and support that can bring lasting change to your anxiety.