Anxiety is a common human emotion that many individuals encounter on occasion. In truth, the stress response known as “fight or flight” is a useful response in perilous circumstances. However, how can you tell whether your anxiety has changed from being normal to an anxiety disorder?
Anxiety is a mental health condition that may be identified when your excessive worrying interferes with your day-to-day functioning. This suggests that you could be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or another anxiety-related illness. Because the symptoms of GAD and normal anxiety are similar, it may be difficult to distinguish between the two. Continue reading to get the answer to this question and discover how to distinguish between GAD and normal anxiety from chronic anxiety.
What Is the Feeling of Anxiety?
The most crucial thing to remember about anxiety is that it’s a common occurrence and perfectly natural. There are several common worries that might lead to anxiety. For instance, anticipating the outcome of a medical examination or believing that someone has made a disparaging remark about you. Anxiety may also be advantageous; for example, it might motivate you to study more for an exam or drive more cautiously during a downpour.
Anxiety affects people in various ways, but generally speaking, it may have the following effects on your physical and mental health:
The Distinction Between Stress and Anxiety
There is a fine line between anxiety and stress. While both are emotional responses, stress is often brought on by an outside factor. A job deadline is an example of an urgent trigger. Long-term triggers include chronic illnesses. Physical and emotional signs of stress include irritation, soreness in the muscles, gastrointestinal problems, and trouble sleeping.
On the other hand, anxiety is defined by intense, ongoing concerns that occur even in the absence of a stressor. The symptoms of anxiety are almost the same as those of stress, yet comparable coping strategies work well for both low stress and mild anxiety. Coping mechanisms may not be enough to reduce your stress or worry; in such case, you may have persistent anxiety that requires medical attention.
Anxiety Disorder in General
Persistent anxiety is a common feature of GAD, and it’s not limited to stressful events. GAD patients have severe, ongoing anxiety that interferes with their daily functioning. Even seemingly little things, like doing housework or being late for work, may cause overwhelming concern and the sense that something awful will happen in people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
You could have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) if the specific symptoms are present most days for at least six months. These include so much concern that it interferes with day-to-day functioning, including working or socializing, and physical symptoms:
In order to diagnose GAD, three or more of the following symptoms must also exist:
Anxiety vs. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
It’s critical to recognize the difference between anxiousness and more severe symptoms. Anxiety in general makes us more aware of our surroundings. On the other hand, GAD, or clinical anxiety, is a recognized illness.
| Typical Anxiety | GAD |
| Anxiety is controllable. | Worry is more intense. |
| The degree of anxiety is correlated with how serious the issue is. | You start feeling more nervous than the circumstances warrant. |
| You often worry about items that are connected to stressful circumstances. | You constantly worry about the majority of issues and circumstances. |
| You may use coping mechanisms to relax. | You struggle to find solace, serenity, and time away from your concerns. |
Is It Possible to Self-Test for Anxiety?
Only mental health specialists with the necessary training may diagnose anxiety disorders. On the other hand, there are plenty of instruments at your disposal to assist you in monitoring your propensity for anxiety or the development of chronic anxiety. One of the most used instruments for gauging the intensity of anxiety symptoms is the Hamilton rating scale (HAM-A). The fourteen-item test examines anxiety’s psychological and physiological manifestations. Each item on the HAM-A questionnaire is evaluated from 0 to 4, with a total score of 25–30 indicating severe anxiety, 18–24 indicating mild to moderate anxiety, and a score of less than 17 indicating mild anxiety.
Coping Mechanisms for GAD and Anxiety
The following coping mechanisms, whether they are for clinical or typical worry, may greatly help you:
Concluding
Understanding the distinction between anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) will help you decide which coping mechanisms are most likely to work for you and what sort of professional support you need.