Overview
Chronic anxiety differs from ordinary anxiety because it can affect a person’s daily activities, family life and work or school performance. Anxiety can arise now and then when stressful situations occur; however, chronic anxiety, which often is referred to as generalized anxiety disorder, causes a person to have exaggerated concerns about issues that don’t warrant excessive worries, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains.
Constant Worry
A person with anxiety about everyday problems on a daily basis for six months or more usually is said to have chronic anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder. The worries are often about health, finances, work-related issues or family problems, the NIMH notes. Often, people with the disorder know they are exaggerating their problems but still can’t shake their concerns.
Mental Difficulties
People with chronic anxiety have difficulty concentrating or making decisions, mostly because they are too concerned about their excessive or even imagined worries. They often are unable to relax and can startle easily because of their concerns, Psych Central points out. They may feel fatigued, suffer from depression and have difficulty sleeping or find themselves waking up in the middle of the night. They can become restless or irritable because they often feel on edge. Some people may create anxiety by thinking about what lies ahead for them during the day.
Physical Effects
Worries may generate physical symptoms that include tightness in the muscles, pains in the back of the neck or headaches, according to NetDoctor. There may be difficulty swallowing or a feeling that there is a lump in the throat, trembling, twitching, sweating, nausea, dizziness or shortness of breath. Some people with chronic anxiety may experience feelings of numbness, pins and needles or pain in the arms and other areas of the body. Symptoms such as a racing heart may make them think they are having a heart attack. Chronic anxiety also can lead to other physical disorders such as digestive or bowel problems, the Mayo Clinic explains. People who are anxious most of the time may develop an unconscious, nervous habit of grinding the teeth during sleep or during stressful situations.
Co-Existing Signs
Generalized anxiety disorder usually does not occur alone, the NIMH says. Depression or substance abuse may accompany the disorder. Drug or alcohol abuse can cause more symptoms or intensify chronic anxiety's symptoms. Caffeine and nicotine also may affect it. At the same time, chronic anxiety can lead to or worsen other mental and health conditions.
www.livestrong.com
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