5 Differences Between Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Anxiety
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Date: 2023-08-20
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Comments and reviews: 25
Will
My GAD has plagued me my entire life and made literally every aspect of it a nightmare for as long as I can remember, from socializing, to working, to studying, even just going outside.
But the absolute worst part of living with GAD is people constantly invalidating and disregarding it as a serious medical condition Just constantly being told by everyone around you that youre just overreacting and that youre weak willed and need to just suck it up and get over yourself. That anxiety is something everyone has and youre no different. And it just makes the issue even worse and snowball out of control so much easier.
Ive been gaslit so hard that even in the middle of panic attacks when Im crying and hyperventilating Ill be just telling myself that my anxiety isnt real and Im just being overly sensitive and irrational and lying to myself.
I was officially diagnosed with GAD when I was 10 and Im 28 now. I still have it. Some days are better than others but Im generally still an absolute mess. And the fact that I havent gotten better made me think multiple times that I have something else wrong with me and its not really GAD.
I recently just got an assessment done because I was certain I had ADHD. The doctor called me with the test results and told me there were no signs of ADHD but overwhelming evidence of GAD.
Even 18 years later despite everything Ive been through experiencing this condition, the lack of support made me think I didnt have it even though theres overwhelming medical evidence I do.
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My GAD has plagued me my entire life and made literally every aspect of it a nightmare for as long as I can remember, from socializing, to working, to studying, even just going outside.
But the absolute worst part of living with GAD is people constantly invalidating and disregarding it as a serious medical condition Just constantly being told by everyone around you that youre just overreacting and that youre weak willed and need to just suck it up and get over yourself. That anxiety is something everyone has and youre no different. And it just makes the issue even worse and snowball out of control so much easier.
Ive been gaslit so hard that even in the middle of panic attacks when Im crying and hyperventilating Ill be just telling myself that my anxiety isnt real and Im just being overly sensitive and irrational and lying to myself.
I was officially diagnosed with GAD when I was 10 and Im 28 now. I still have it. Some days are better than others but Im generally still an absolute mess. And the fact that I havent gotten better made me think multiple times that I have something else wrong with me and its not really GAD.
I recently just got an assessment done because I was certain I had ADHD. The doctor called me with the test results and told me there were no signs of ADHD but overwhelming evidence of GAD.
Even 18 years later despite everything Ive been through experiencing this condition, the lack of support made me think I didnt have it even though theres overwhelming medical evidence I do.
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Noodlely
I invited a bunch of family yesterday to an outing, seeing if anyone wanted to go. I got a response within 30 minutes, but my thoughts went like this:
-No one wants to go, so nobody wants to spend time with me. Of course they don't, no one likes me. I don't have any close friends. My family doesn't like me. People hate me.
When I did get a response, my mind went:
-It's just one person. When 'other relative' invites people out, everyone goes. When it's me, no one wants to go; I'm not special. It's just one person, they may not even want to go. I bet they're actually busy, and don't even want to go.
I then ended up having a break down, which isn't common for me at all. The weather was really gloomy after being sunny all week, which can make my negative feelings stronger.
While I don't usually have break downs, this type of thought happens pretty frequent with me; I just don't pay much attention to it usually. It becomes background noise because I've always had it. Sucky thing about GAD, is it can be genetic, and for me it is. I often dissociate with it because I do recognize my symptoms are often unrelated to how I really feel. Like, no one in my family hates me. I have 2 close friends. People were tired, on a Sunday, with bad weather. I actually get along great with people, and I'm really friendly.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened, and it shouldn't have been a bad experience, but GAD and depression can go hand-in-hand making life a little irregular sometimes.
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I invited a bunch of family yesterday to an outing, seeing if anyone wanted to go. I got a response within 30 minutes, but my thoughts went like this:
-No one wants to go, so nobody wants to spend time with me. Of course they don't, no one likes me. I don't have any close friends. My family doesn't like me. People hate me.
When I did get a response, my mind went:
-It's just one person. When 'other relative' invites people out, everyone goes. When it's me, no one wants to go; I'm not special. It's just one person, they may not even want to go. I bet they're actually busy, and don't even want to go.
I then ended up having a break down, which isn't common for me at all. The weather was really gloomy after being sunny all week, which can make my negative feelings stronger.
While I don't usually have break downs, this type of thought happens pretty frequent with me; I just don't pay much attention to it usually. It becomes background noise because I've always had it. Sucky thing about GAD, is it can be genetic, and for me it is. I often dissociate with it because I do recognize my symptoms are often unrelated to how I really feel. Like, no one in my family hates me. I have 2 close friends. People were tired, on a Sunday, with bad weather. I actually get along great with people, and I'm really friendly.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened, and it shouldn't have been a bad experience, but GAD and depression can go hand-in-hand making life a little irregular sometimes.
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bij
Used to hate online sch cz i felt like my dad's money was wasted and shit cz i cudnt use the goddamn amenities bt ne thinking bk online classes fr the last 2 years of college was one of the best things to have ever happened to me cause I wouldn't have to wake up, get dressed and see people.
I could just turn on the laptop cause it's optional to not turn our webcams on. PERFECT for introverts like me. I didn't have to worry abt sleep and then get all caught up in my ass w what people think and I could spend the last year of college dating, meeting and cohabiting my ex whom I loved and still love dearly.
I also worked just as hard on classes and pushed through my last semester as an intern and first experience working even though there was a 2-month semester deferment hiccup because of my anxiety and bpd.
Managed to finish my intern, got a good evaluation from my boss, go to Billie's concert, travel w my bff, ticket off bucket lists and graduate with 2nd upper class honours!
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Used to hate online sch cz i felt like my dad's money was wasted and shit cz i cudnt use the goddamn amenities bt ne thinking bk online classes fr the last 2 years of college was one of the best things to have ever happened to me cause I wouldn't have to wake up, get dressed and see people.
I could just turn on the laptop cause it's optional to not turn our webcams on. PERFECT for introverts like me. I didn't have to worry abt sleep and then get all caught up in my ass w what people think and I could spend the last year of college dating, meeting and cohabiting my ex whom I loved and still love dearly.
I also worked just as hard on classes and pushed through my last semester as an intern and first experience working even though there was a 2-month semester deferment hiccup because of my anxiety and bpd.
Managed to finish my intern, got a good evaluation from my boss, go to Billie's concert, travel w my bff, ticket off bucket lists and graduate with 2nd upper class honours!
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QuietWaterz45
i constantly question how people will react to everything. I question my own questions and it's gotten to the point where I feel great anxiety from asking to go to the restroom furring class when the teacher is not even presenting. it's exhausting. I think because of this I fidget with my hair a lot and move my leg up and down really fast for hours. sometimes I even catch myself sucking hard in my mouth like a vacuum chamber sucking in air untill there is nothing left. these questions fill my head but when asked a question my mind goes blank. I just all of a sudden think so much that when it needs to be questioned it can't think. I also feel so worried and scared of what I'm going to say to my closest friends and family. I forget everything even when someone just told me something. it has caused some big sad moments usually lasting a day then it disappears then comes back the day after but then it takes weeks. could this be gad.
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i constantly question how people will react to everything. I question my own questions and it's gotten to the point where I feel great anxiety from asking to go to the restroom furring class when the teacher is not even presenting. it's exhausting. I think because of this I fidget with my hair a lot and move my leg up and down really fast for hours. sometimes I even catch myself sucking hard in my mouth like a vacuum chamber sucking in air untill there is nothing left. these questions fill my head but when asked a question my mind goes blank. I just all of a sudden think so much that when it needs to be questioned it can't think. I also feel so worried and scared of what I'm going to say to my closest friends and family. I forget everything even when someone just told me something. it has caused some big sad moments usually lasting a day then it disappears then comes back the day after but then it takes weeks. could this be gad.
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KA
I was diagnosed with GAD when I was 11. I also have many tendencies of OCD & ADHD (according to my therapist. I have always been this way. I feel as if it is apart of who I am. I feel like if I don't have some anxiety over something - something bad will happen or I will neglect to do something very important. I am a very empathetic person, so I feel if I don't worry about everything, it would mean I don't care at all. It's like a protective & productive part of me, but it is also very mentally & emotionally taxing. In the past 6 years I have made drastic improvements & no longer need medication. I have learned healthy coping mechanisms and that it is okay to be who I am. However sometimes, the what ifs of life get to me. I thought I would share my story and wonder if anyone else with GAD has felt the same way. Please let me know, I would love to hear your story. Thanks Psych2Go for bringing awareness to this disorder!
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I was diagnosed with GAD when I was 11. I also have many tendencies of OCD & ADHD (according to my therapist. I have always been this way. I feel as if it is apart of who I am. I feel like if I don't have some anxiety over something - something bad will happen or I will neglect to do something very important. I am a very empathetic person, so I feel if I don't worry about everything, it would mean I don't care at all. It's like a protective & productive part of me, but it is also very mentally & emotionally taxing. In the past 6 years I have made drastic improvements & no longer need medication. I have learned healthy coping mechanisms and that it is okay to be who I am. However sometimes, the what ifs of life get to me. I thought I would share my story and wonder if anyone else with GAD has felt the same way. Please let me know, I would love to hear your story. Thanks Psych2Go for bringing awareness to this disorder!
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Kay
So, I recently decided to try out a club at school. I only did it cause I get anxious when disagreeing with someone and I couldnt say no to my teacher when he recommended it. Its a trivia competition club and I knew Id get too anxious to handle it but in the other hand was too anxious to say no. So I went to one competition and completely froze up. It was to much and I decided Id never do it again. The other day the coach, my Bio teacher, asked if I was coming to the competition that night. I explained I wouldnt because I had anxiety and it just wasnt something I would be able to do. And Im well aware she didnt mean it in that way but she said, Oh but everyone gets anxiety sometimes. I just chuckled and left. It kinda hurt especially since I liked that teacher. Anyway just felt like getting that off my chest.
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So, I recently decided to try out a club at school. I only did it cause I get anxious when disagreeing with someone and I couldnt say no to my teacher when he recommended it. Its a trivia competition club and I knew Id get too anxious to handle it but in the other hand was too anxious to say no. So I went to one competition and completely froze up. It was to much and I decided Id never do it again. The other day the coach, my Bio teacher, asked if I was coming to the competition that night. I explained I wouldnt because I had anxiety and it just wasnt something I would be able to do. And Im well aware she didnt mean it in that way but she said, Oh but everyone gets anxiety sometimes. I just chuckled and left. It kinda hurt especially since I liked that teacher. Anyway just felt like getting that off my chest.
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polarbear
GAD is like a nightmare that goes on forever. Even if an indirect trigger hits, the neverending neck tension, heart palpitations, constricted breathing, unsteadiness, reduced concentration and sleep disruptions can last for days.
And there is not a damn thing that you can do until the underlying issues get resolved, which could be days or weeks. No medication seems to work, and except for psychiatristst/mental health professionals, general doctors will always think that you're just trying to get sick leave.
And people. no one aside from sufferers will be able to understand. Everyone gets anxious, I get anxious too! I get headaches and lose sleep too! Is it really that bad? You need to try and relax and stop thinking so much!
That's why I stopped talking to people about this. It triggers me.
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GAD is like a nightmare that goes on forever. Even if an indirect trigger hits, the neverending neck tension, heart palpitations, constricted breathing, unsteadiness, reduced concentration and sleep disruptions can last for days.
And there is not a damn thing that you can do until the underlying issues get resolved, which could be days or weeks. No medication seems to work, and except for psychiatristst/mental health professionals, general doctors will always think that you're just trying to get sick leave.
And people. no one aside from sufferers will be able to understand. Everyone gets anxious, I get anxious too! I get headaches and lose sleep too! Is it really that bad? You need to try and relax and stop thinking so much!
That's why I stopped talking to people about this. It triggers me.
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Aunny
I've been diagnosed with GAD last year and I had been prescribed with medication and to increase my daily activity. I couldnt concentrate on the activity part but the medication helped. After few months I have stopped taking the medication because I thought I wont need them. But suddenly this days I'm suffering so bad. Even if I'm active the symptoms are here again and sometimes it feels like having heart attack! I want to start taking my pills again but boyfriend says I became like a robot with no or less emotions in me. He requests me not to take them back. I dont know what to do but I'm trying my best to control it naturally! If there any suggestions, please drop by!
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I've been diagnosed with GAD last year and I had been prescribed with medication and to increase my daily activity. I couldnt concentrate on the activity part but the medication helped. After few months I have stopped taking the medication because I thought I wont need them. But suddenly this days I'm suffering so bad. Even if I'm active the symptoms are here again and sometimes it feels like having heart attack! I want to start taking my pills again but boyfriend says I became like a robot with no or less emotions in me. He requests me not to take them back. I dont know what to do but I'm trying my best to control it naturally! If there any suggestions, please drop by!
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Ronewa
Im 13 and Ive had 3 anxiety attacks this year. I told my mom and she said shed take me to a psychologist. She prayed that the anxiety would go but I dont believe it would just disappear. The anxiety attacks are triggered by little things even searching about anxiety gives me anxiety. During these anxiety attacks my heart starts pounding like crazy, I get a headache, I start shaking and I cant even write, I cant really speak and my chest starts hurting. I dont think I have GAD but I want to be sure.
Does anyone have advice for me?
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Im 13 and Ive had 3 anxiety attacks this year. I told my mom and she said shed take me to a psychologist. She prayed that the anxiety would go but I dont believe it would just disappear. The anxiety attacks are triggered by little things even searching about anxiety gives me anxiety. During these anxiety attacks my heart starts pounding like crazy, I get a headache, I start shaking and I cant even write, I cant really speak and my chest starts hurting. I dont think I have GAD but I want to be sure.
Does anyone have advice for me?
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nobody
GAD can be horrible. especially when it gets so bad that I experience derealization because the stress gets so bad. but through many techniques and therapy I am able to live most of my days completely anxiety free I remember when it was sos bad that I hated living, I tried to kill myself to many times to escape the fear. But I'm glad I kept going I'm glad that I never completely gave in to the despair. Keep going in the moment it feels like it'll last forever but remember that it's just a moment and moments pass by if you let them.
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GAD can be horrible. especially when it gets so bad that I experience derealization because the stress gets so bad. but through many techniques and therapy I am able to live most of my days completely anxiety free I remember when it was sos bad that I hated living, I tried to kill myself to many times to escape the fear. But I'm glad I kept going I'm glad that I never completely gave in to the despair. Keep going in the moment it feels like it'll last forever but remember that it's just a moment and moments pass by if you let them.
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freshavocaduwu
I always were a pretty quiet child. It changed due to my panic attacks that started in 6th grade and are still a constant struggle.
3 years ago I got diagnosed with GAD, depressive episodes and was being tested for Adhd. They said that I don't have Adhd, but since I'm a female I'm not quite sure. It's a constant suffering and I wish my family and friends could understand my behavior, they are still not trying to, it's difficult for them because they seem to only see the anxiety in the diagnosis.
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I always were a pretty quiet child. It changed due to my panic attacks that started in 6th grade and are still a constant struggle.
3 years ago I got diagnosed with GAD, depressive episodes and was being tested for Adhd. They said that I don't have Adhd, but since I'm a female I'm not quite sure. It's a constant suffering and I wish my family and friends could understand my behavior, they are still not trying to, it's difficult for them because they seem to only see the anxiety in the diagnosis.
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Riju
3: 43 I had that happen to me recently. I was playing FFXIV and gave someone a Christmas present in the mail. They said, I'll keep it in the mail which I thought meant, I hate it but it turns out they just have every item in the game and get a lot of mail that all of it gets lost. But before he explained that to me I spent three hours overthinking and even crying about why I even bother to do nice things for people if they don't appreciate it and how I'm too nice for my own good sometimes.
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3: 43 I had that happen to me recently. I was playing FFXIV and gave someone a Christmas present in the mail. They said, I'll keep it in the mail which I thought meant, I hate it but it turns out they just have every item in the game and get a lot of mail that all of it gets lost. But before he explained that to me I spent three hours overthinking and even crying about why I even bother to do nice things for people if they don't appreciate it and how I'm too nice for my own good sometimes.
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martinisawe
I've been told alot of time that i have anxiety from my mom and doctors. I never believed i have anxiety, but i will occasionally get very anxious and stress to things that happened awhile ago and it sucks. Turns out i have GAD and last week i experienced my worse attack and i was bedridden, losing my vision and my skin breaking out. Fortunately I've had it for years that i know how to handle it.
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I've been told alot of time that i have anxiety from my mom and doctors. I never believed i have anxiety, but i will occasionally get very anxious and stress to things that happened awhile ago and it sucks. Turns out i have GAD and last week i experienced my worse attack and i was bedridden, losing my vision and my skin breaking out. Fortunately I've had it for years that i know how to handle it.
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Lea
This is pretty accurate. And I can tell: fighting this will for a long time feel like falling from a cliff. But u got wings. It will work. I am right in the middle of my fight and it is a struggle fighting gad in every new situation I usually acted the way it told me. But it is worth it. After 6 years of living with gad (I'm 21) I recognized how much I restricted myself. Go for it! U deserve everything!
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This is pretty accurate. And I can tell: fighting this will for a long time feel like falling from a cliff. But u got wings. It will work. I am right in the middle of my fight and it is a struggle fighting gad in every new situation I usually acted the way it told me. But it is worth it. After 6 years of living with gad (I'm 21) I recognized how much I restricted myself. Go for it! U deserve everything!
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Pastel
I have GAD, I have a sepific phobia of the fear of the outdoors, a mix of agoraphobia and arachnophobia, I unfortunately am struggling a lot with this phobia and it affects me a lot on my day to day life, it is getting worse and I hate the feeling of powerlessness I have due that I have little to no way of controlling and facing it, anyone else has it? And do you know what the exact name of it is?
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I have GAD, I have a sepific phobia of the fear of the outdoors, a mix of agoraphobia and arachnophobia, I unfortunately am struggling a lot with this phobia and it affects me a lot on my day to day life, it is getting worse and I hate the feeling of powerlessness I have due that I have little to no way of controlling and facing it, anyone else has it? And do you know what the exact name of it is?
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sunnysushi
ok ummm I don't know what this is anytime I hear the tiniest noise in my brothers room I go to check on him (this usually ends up being 10-20 times an hour) any time my bff doesn't say I'll miss you I assume she'll abandon me what is this?
ps. I also tell my brother he can't eat while we are home alone because he'll choke I'm ten and he's 13 and then I get mad when he doesn't understand
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ok ummm I don't know what this is anytime I hear the tiniest noise in my brothers room I go to check on him (this usually ends up being 10-20 times an hour) any time my bff doesn't say I'll miss you I assume she'll abandon me what is this?
ps. I also tell my brother he can't eat while we are home alone because he'll choke I'm ten and he's 13 and then I get mad when he doesn't understand
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Macie
I remember getting my diagnosis and feeling no relief like I thought I would. The meds gave me tremors that took adjustment over time to go away.
I spoke with a coworker who said he has anxiety and when I told him I had GAD, he said oh you have it bad and I just kinda paused. I didnt ever give myself grace for my symptoms or experiences but he understood better than I did
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I remember getting my diagnosis and feeling no relief like I thought I would. The meds gave me tremors that took adjustment over time to go away.
I spoke with a coworker who said he has anxiety and when I told him I had GAD, he said oh you have it bad and I just kinda paused. I didnt ever give myself grace for my symptoms or experiences but he understood better than I did
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Lexy
coming back to this video after recently being diagnosed with GAD. Everything makes a lot more sense now. To anyone who is or may be struggling with this disorder try not to overthink getting help. I know its hard at first but it really does help even if its just a little bit. Try the best you can to keep your head up and remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS WORLD
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coming back to this video after recently being diagnosed with GAD. Everything makes a lot more sense now. To anyone who is or may be struggling with this disorder try not to overthink getting help. I know its hard at first but it really does help even if its just a little bit. Try the best you can to keep your head up and remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS WORLD
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Nor
My doctor wont tell me my diagnose cuz he told me i cant sleep if i know. but i see record at first its bipolar but then doctor said its just im very depresion due my bipolar sister almost suicide and get medication 8n hospital several week and and one day i seeing the medical control letter they never write the diagnose but one day i see GAD writen on it
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My doctor wont tell me my diagnose cuz he told me i cant sleep if i know. but i see record at first its bipolar but then doctor said its just im very depresion due my bipolar sister almost suicide and get medication 8n hospital several week and and one day i seeing the medical control letter they never write the diagnose but one day i see GAD writen on it
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Dness
Now i understand myself why i always feel anxious even small problems happen to me, feel like bad looking or negative impression to me, im struggling with the things like money, work & others but actually it's not really serious. Now i know why. May i ask how people so brave to meet psychiatrist & let them talk about their problem?
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Now i understand myself why i always feel anxious even small problems happen to me, feel like bad looking or negative impression to me, im struggling with the things like money, work & others but actually it's not really serious. Now i know why. May i ask how people so brave to meet psychiatrist & let them talk about their problem?
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smarties373
I'm diagnosed with clinical depression but I'm pretty sure i just have GAD: < I cry during all my lectures or when in public spaces alone, my fight or flight response is triggered very easily, when confronted i cry, and whenever i try do things to calm myself or do things i enjoy i just feel guilty and cry F
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I'm diagnosed with clinical depression but I'm pretty sure i just have GAD: < I cry during all my lectures or when in public spaces alone, my fight or flight response is triggered very easily, when confronted i cry, and whenever i try do things to calm myself or do things i enjoy i just feel guilty and cry F
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Sarah
Thank you for this! I have GAD and its really hard to separate sometimes what is normal anxiety and what is due to GAD. Its comforting to read other peoples experiences. I got nauseous the other day from the anxiety caused by procrastinating and lots of shit to do LMAO. Its nice to know Im not alone. We got this.
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Thank you for this! I have GAD and its really hard to separate sometimes what is normal anxiety and what is due to GAD. Its comforting to read other peoples experiences. I got nauseous the other day from the anxiety caused by procrastinating and lots of shit to do LMAO. Its nice to know Im not alone. We got this.
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Nun
I have GAD and I feel as though people think Im trying to be trendy and relatable or even think Im just making excuses if I admit I made a mistake or overreacted because of my anxiety. Im in therapy and take medication now but Im still in the early stages and its miserable living with GAD. Mental HELL
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I have GAD and I feel as though people think Im trying to be trendy and relatable or even think Im just making excuses if I admit I made a mistake or overreacted because of my anxiety. Im in therapy and take medication now but Im still in the early stages and its miserable living with GAD. Mental HELL
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axeltank06
Given the choice, I would never leave my home; less chance of yet another setback, disaster, or some form of bad news that way. Yes I know it will happen anyway at some point. Unfortunately the whole needing-to-support my family thing barely overrides my train wreck excuse of a mental state.
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Given the choice, I would never leave my home; less chance of yet another setback, disaster, or some form of bad news that way. Yes I know it will happen anyway at some point. Unfortunately the whole needing-to-support my family thing barely overrides my train wreck excuse of a mental state.
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Jairus
Damn, so one of my best friends is diagnosed with GAD but i didnt realize it was something completely different from just Anxiety. Ive been going through your anxiety series to try and understand her as well as myself and try to find ways to help not realizing it was so intensely different.
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Damn, so one of my best friends is diagnosed with GAD but i didnt realize it was something completely different from just Anxiety. Ive been going through your anxiety series to try and understand her as well as myself and try to find ways to help not realizing it was so intensely different.
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