Are Your Worries Something To Worry About?

By Jane Jackson, MD

New Vitality Health Center

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Are Your Worries Something To Worry About?

Websters dictionary defines worry as anxious, troubled, or uneasy. As long ago as 1671, the word worry was used to refer to something “annoying or bothersome.” Although worry has been around for a long time there is no reason to try to just live with it. Our worries may be the “tip” of a much more serious “iceberg” that is worthy of professional attention.
Lets take a quick survey to identify the characteristics of worry to discover if it is the normal type we all experience, or the type professionals refer to as signs of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
1. Does your worry interfere with your job or social life? Or Does worry significantly interfere with your work or social activities?
2. Can your concerns be controlled and dealt with at a later time? Or Is your worrying out of control?
3. Do your worries only cause mild distress? Or Are your worries extremely distressing and pervasive?
4. Did your worries initiate with a specific cause? Or Did the worrying begin for no reason?
5. Are your worries limited to a number of topics or a small number of situations? Or Do you worry about a broad range of topics like your job performance, money, personal safety or the safety of others?
6. Does your worrying last for only a few days or a brief period of time? Or Do you experience excessive worrying for six months or more?
7. Does your worrying affect you emotionally and/or physically? Or Are there many physical and/or psychological symptoms that occur with your worrying such as sleep problems, irritability, tense muscles, trouble concentrating, fatigue, or restlessness?
Now, lets review the seven, two-part, survey questions above. Count the number of questions you answered yes to in the first part of each question. If most of your answers fall in the first category there is no need to be concerned. Everyone experiences some ups and downs and frustrations. If more of your responses are in the second category it may be beneficial to get some professional help to get relief from your symptoms.
Hopefully, if most of you answered yes to the first part of the questions you gained some reassurance that you are as normal as the next person and can use some home remedies to address your worries such as talking to family and friends to improve your support system, increase your exercise, meditate, try yoga or some other form of relaxation, and setting aside more time for just plain fun.
Unfortunately, the media floods the airways and web with a large amount of direct marketing for prescription medications to relieve anxiety that can often leave the consumer very confused. Even though they help to keep the public informed about the disease of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) it serves to heighten the anxiety of some individuals at the same time.
In addition, the medias coverage of terrorism and war on the news can be yet another source of stress. So how does a person determine the difference between the normal worry that everyone experiences from the more serious GAD? One way is the longevity of GAD symptoms as noted in a recent scientific study. Researchers say that people without GAD tend to only worry an average of 55 minutes a day compared to those with GAD who worried 310 minutes each day. This significant time differential and the seven differences listed in the survey above can help you and your doctor to distinguish between normal worry and GAD. If it is GAD, seek professional help.