How much does worry and anxiety play a part in each of our lives? There is no doubt that all of us have fallen victim to the pitfalls of stress. Life is filled with challenges, but sometimes they seem overwhelming! The how to’s and what if’s can in themselves become stumbling blocks. General Anxiety Disorder is the term used for defining this. It can become so debilitating that it saps the very life from us! We might find ourselves concentrating on the problems and circumstances more than finding solutions. Perhaps you can relate to some or all of the following scenarios.

CASE STUDY
Martha decided to go back to school after raising her children to better herself. She was older than most of the kids and worried about everything and everybody. Martha was determined though to be successful and studied harder than most of the students. When test time came though, she would freeze. One day there were no answers on her test sheet. She was suffering from General Anxiety Disorder! The teachers knew she probably knew the answers. Martha worried that she hadn’t studied enough or that she might not finish the tests on time. Her stress levels at test time were so high that she became numb. Her situation became better with the patience and understanding of a few good teachers and discussions with her. She learned to address the real problems and forsake the imagined ones!

ACTION REQUIRED
We all know the stress finances, taxes and bills will inflict on a person. It gets so bad that some will forsake social activities and personal hygiene. The more they think about problems, the less they can do to correct them! They might find themselves locked up in the house seeking comfort food or mindlessly watching the boob-tube. Calls go ignored, and small things become large. The General Anxiety Disorder plants itself like an ugly weed and grows if unchecked! There might not be an immediate solution to the finances, but help is needed to stop the downward cycle that this disorder brings. It’s time to call friends, or do little things! If you find yourself in this situation, taking on minute at a time should be your goal. Try to handle something, anything to start turning this around.

VULNERABILITY
Unfortunately, in this world, there are folks who prey on others suffering from General Anxiety Disorder! Sad as it might be, the disorder leaves one vulnerable. It might be a family member or a “friend”. The “grasping at straws reasoning” becomes the only resource the person suffering with the disorder relies on. The problem becomes worse as the way out or the cure is not being satisfied. Once you find yourself on this downward spiral, your natural defenses become weaker. You might be sending someone to take care of things you usually would. They may be taking advantage of you because of your situation. Find someone who is really interested in your situation. Make a few calls. It may not be easy, but you must try a different way. The person or group you choose will be reliable, trustworthy and honorable.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
Sometimes folks who are in advanced stages of anxiety depression will turn to drugs or alcohol to numb their feelings. This is rarely a good thing. A wise man once said, “If you find yourself in a hole, quit digging”! To only numb the pain, or put off making a positive change is inviting failure. Let’s say that something terrible has happened “out there” and you are anxious about going out into the world. You have chosen to hide out for a while because of your fears. This is a fork in the road. I think that all of us have faced this at least once in our lives. Fear can take over and we can sit behind its wall. For a while we merely exist. Our new friends become drugs and or Alcohol. If you find yourself going down the wrong road, you must change directions! The wise will STOP and take a time out. This step is, perhaps, the most important step one can take to change. The next step will be to find solace in something good for you. Perhaps eating healthier, walking, or socializing with help groups.

DON’T WORRY WHAT OTHERS SAY OR THINK
It is too common place to find ourselves afraid of what people think, or say, or do. One of my acquaintances once said who overcame General Anxiety Disorder once said, “It is no concern of mine what others think of me”. The more I pondered what she said, the more sense it made. My fear of what others said, or might do to me or even think robbed me of my own thoughts! I found myself overweight, sad and afraid because of what “they” thought. It took a while to overcome my own disorder. I had to ask myself many hard questions. I also had to answer them, truthfully. What do I think? I also found that it is NOT selfish to do for you! My desire was to do for others, but I was so afraid of everyone else and disabled that I couldn’t. If you can’t help yourself, you can’t help others. My best help became strangers who truly cared about me. They selflessly offered themselves as an example of kindness. What I realized most is that they were good, and I wanted to be good too! My own motivation mattered! I mattered!

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