Generalised anxiety disorder

To read the Introducton to Anxiety Click Here

People with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) go through the day filled with exaggerated worry and tension, even though there is often little or nothing to cause it.

They anticipate disaster and may be overly concerned about health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work.

Women who experience this during pregnancy or in the postnatal period often find that they often also worry excessively about the baby. For example, they might constantly worry about whether the baby is gaining enough weight, getting enough sleep, or about the babys health.

Women in pregnancy might worry about the health of the baby, childbirth, or whether they will be a good mother. Of course, many of these worries are a normal part of becoming a mother. When the amount and the intensity of worrying is excessive, it becomes a problem if;

the mother feels very distressed by it
the mother is unable to function properly
it causes difficulties for others. For example, a mother keeps picking up her baby which interferes with the baby's sleeping.

People with GAD cant seem to get rid of their worries, even though they usually realise that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants.

They can't relax, startle easily, and have difficulty concentrating.

Often they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.