Generalized anxiety can feel like your mind is always searching for the next thing that might go wrong. You may find yourself worrying about work, health, relationships, finances, family, everyday responsibilities or several things at once.
Even when you recognize that the worry is more intense than the situation calls for, it can be difficult to turn off. You might overthink decisions, seek reassurance, prepare for every possible outcome, or feel unable to relax because your mind is constantly jumping to worst case scenario.
Over time, this ongoing worry can feel exhausting and make it harder to concentrate, sleep, be present in relationships, or enjoy the parts of your life that matter to you. Therapy can help you understand what keeps the worry going, respond differently to uncertainty, and feel more capable of navigating life without anxiety always taking the lead.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
What this can look like
Worry That’s Hard to Turn Off
Your mind may jump from one concern to another—work, health, finances, relationships, family, or everyday decisions. Even relatively small things can lead to a lot of “what if?” thinking.
Getting Stuck in the Worry Cycle
You may know that worrying isn’t helping, but still find it difficult to stop. You might replay situations, overthink decisions, seek reassurance, research, plan ahead, or try to prepare for every possible outcome.
Feeling Restless or On Edge
Anxiety can make it difficult to fully relax. You may feel restless, keyed up, tense, or like you’re constantly waiting for the next thing you need to handle.
Carrying Tension in Your Body
You may notice tightness in your shoulders, jaw, neck, or other areas of your body, or feel physically tense even when there isn’t an obvious reason.
Difficulty Focusing
When your mind is busy worrying, it can be hard to concentrate, stay present, make decisions, or focus on what’s in front of you. Sometimes your mind may feel like it suddenly goes blank.
Feeling More Irritable or Overwhelmed
When your mind and body are constantly on alert, you may have less patience, become frustrated more easily, or feel overwhelmed by things you would normally be able to manage.
Having Trouble Sleeping
Worry may become especially loud when things get quiet. You might have difficulty falling asleep, wake during the night with your mind racing, or sleep without feeling fully rested.
Feeling Anxiety in Your Body
Anxiety doesn’t only happen in your thoughts. You may experience headaches, stomach discomfort, nausea, sweating, trembling, a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or other uncomfortable physical sensations.
Your mind doesn’t have to stay three steps ahead
When you’re used to anticipating what could go wrong, slowing down can feel almost impossible. Treatment can help you notice the patterns that keep worry going and practice responding differently, so you can spend less time preparing for every possibility and more time being present in your life.