The invasive nature of generalized anxiety is something that can get into your mind and poison it quickly. It quickly can become a part of your very being, and fool you into thinking that it is unavoidable. It is something that is very hard for the family to understand. This article can help to clear up some things.
To the stranger reading a column about generalized anxiety disorder, the affliction may seem rather benign. Many people only have short quick bursts of panic attacks, after all. What people do not realize is the lasting effects these quick bursts of panic can have on a person. Generalized anxiety disorder is so much more than a ten minute panic attack. Generalized anxiety disorder is life altering for a great many.
Generalized anxiety disorder begins usually with a very scary set of symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, hyperventilation, body aches, and many more symptoms too long to list. If you notice, many of these symptoms are indicative of major illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, and the like. When the average person has these symptoms, they are to get to an emergency room fast. What about people with generalized anxiety disorder?
The person with generalized anxiety disorder finds themselves in a catch-22. They have these symptoms sometimes several times a day, every single day. They have often been checked for heart problems, stroke risk, and other types of issues and found to be okay. That said, it seems easy enough to just chalk it up to the disorder, right? Wrong.
As a person grows older, these symptoms can be for real. I am forty years old, for example, and ignoring the signs of a heart attack can be deadly. Chalking it up to my “generalized anxiety disorder” can be a deadly mistake. Yet, what should I do when I have the symptoms? Go to the emergency room? That does not work with generalized anxiety disorder. The patient would be there several times a day.
Here lies one of the major problems for the sufferers of this affliction. The decision to act or not on these horrible symptoms when we feel them. This problem can drive a person with generalized anxiety disorder to the edge of insanity, and their loved ones along with them.
A person with generalized anxiety disorder is often labeled with being a complainer, hypochondriac, and other insidious names that serve no real purpose other than to further beat them down. As a loved one of someone with generalized anxiety disorder, you should know some things before looking down your nose at them:
- Generalized anxiety disorder is a real affliction with real symptoms. The person is not imagining the symptoms, and it is not in their head. The symptoms often are as bad as the real deal, and in some cases worse.
- People that suffer from this affliction are some of the bravest souls to walk the Earth. If you ever once have experienced a panic attack, then you will know what I am talking about. Generalized anxiety disorder patients often have these several times a day.
- People who have this problem are often very lonely, and your disdain is only making it worse for them. Look up to them instead. They are suffering more than you know in most cases.
- The best thing that you should do is love them. Support them. Give them your strength when they need it to lean on.
- Finally, you should remember that this disorder is not one that is rare. It happens to millions of people, and it could happen to you regardless of your age. Remember that when you feel irritated with them.
Generalized anxiety disorder is tough for a family and loved ones to handle to be sure. It is a very difficult for anyone to see a loved one suffer. You must remember, however, that it is even worse for the person going through it. Keep that in mind as you struggle through it and try to have some empathy. They do not want to feel the way they do, I assure you. Your love and support means more than you know.
