Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most widespread mental health conditions globally, including in Egypt. Unfortunately, we often deal with it very superficially and naively. We describe ourselves and those around us with inaccurate and illogical attributes simply because we lack awareness or feel ashamed to admit the importance of mental health and therapy. In the end, no one benefits but ourselves.
The problem is, that when we experience these symptoms, we often interpret them in very negative ways, which only exacerbates the issue. We think of ourselves as fearful, cowardly, unsociable, failures, and sometimes even selfish. We often feel guilty, thinking we have let ourselves and those around us down without any justification.
If you have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, you should:
- Increase face-to-face interactions with loved ones and reduce phone and chat usage.
- Learn how to use your senses to calm yourself down quickly, especially if you have a panic attack.
- Try to stay active and avoid sitting in one place for long periods.
- Understand that anxiety is not your friend or ally. Your subconscious mind may make you believe that anxiety protects you from making mistakes, but this is not true. Your subconscious mind is the same one that makes you cry during a dramatic TV scene even though you know it’s just acting. It’s not logical.
- Learn a variety of relaxation and meditation techniques. These exercises may seem silly to others, but they are essential for you. Even a simple breathing exercise can truly help during a panic attack.
- Get good sleep for seven to nine hours a day. Try to reduce caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine consumption, as they can worsen anxiety.
- Always have your prescribed medication with you in case you need it. Keep the prescription in your wallet in case you encounter any legal issues at any time.
Of course, this article is aimed at those who have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Therefore, let’s briefly explain the difference between normal stress, normal anxiety, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
- Normal Stress: You might be stressed, but it doesn’t stop your life or disrupt your daily routine.
- Normal Anxiety: You can control and rationalize it (put it in the correct perspective).
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder: You can’t control or calm it, and it persists.
- Normal stress is logical and has its reasons, like being anxious about a long car trip because your car’s tires aren’t in good condition.
- Generalized anxiety disorder is not logical; its reasons are irrational.
- For example, feeling like you’ll have an accident at any moment while driving on a slow street with no issues with your car.
This article is not for treating or diagnosing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It’s just to help you understand how to deal with it without worsening it.
