Are you always waiting for disaster to strike or excessively worried about things such as health, money, family, work, or school? If so, you may have a type of anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD can make daily life feel like a constant state of worry, fear, and dread.
worrier. noun. someone who worries a lot.
Worriers reported a more negative daydreaming style, greater difficulty with attentional control, and greater obsessional symptoms, public self-consciousness and social anxiety.
In previous research, people high in neuroticism, a personality trait associated with anxiety, worry, and fear, have been found to be less physically healthy and more likely to be diagnosed with mental health disorders.
The root of worried is the Old English word wyrgan, or strangle. It wasn't until the late 1800s that worried was used to describe feeling anxiety.
It's okay to feel anxious, but not all of the time. If you feel that you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms in your daily life or to an intense degree, you may have an anxiety disorder. It's important to reach out to a mental health care provider to help confirm a diagnosis.
Today, I leave you with this Scripture found in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” We may not be able to stop trouble in the world, or trouble in our lives, but one thing we do not have to do is worry about it.
Worry is a common emotion that comes up when we feel uncertain about the future. Find resources for people experiencing worry and anxiety.
Neuroticism. Neuroticism is a personality trait related to negative emotional states and is highly associated with several anxiety disorders, including various phobias, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and generalized anxiety disorder.
Research has indicated that individuals with high emotional reactivity (high neuroticism) and introverted tendencies (low extroversion) are more likely to experience anxiety than other personality types [101].
A 2006 study identified the following personality traits as linked to anxiety: Social inhibition, a broad personality trait where people inhibited, tense, and insecure when with others. Low Extraversion (or high Introversion)
As an alternate form of control-finding, worry can serve to avoid difficult thoughts or decisions. If we worry, we feel like we are doing something, and avoid taking proactive but uncomfortable actions.
One variant is referred to as the “Worrier” gene; it breaks down catecholamines more slowly. The second variant is referred to as the “Warrior” gene; it breaks down these neurotransmitters more quickly. Those with the slow breakdown Worrier variant tend to do well in school and work, but they worry.
There is clear research showing that anxiety is influenced by our genetics. In fact, experts noticed a family connection for anxiety even before they understood how DNA or genes worked. If you have a close relative with anxiety, your chance of developing it is about 2 to 6 times higher than if you don't.
Overthinking is not a recognized mental disorder all by itself. However, research has found it's often associated with other mental health conditions, including: Depression. Anxiety disorders.
Depression and anxiety are different conditions, but they commonly occur together. They also have similar treatments. Feeling down or having the blues now and then is normal. And everyone feels anxious from time to time — it's a normal response to stressful situations.
Nearly half of those with major depression also suffer from severe and persistent anxiety. People who are depressed often feel anxious and worried. One can easily trigger the other, with anxiety often preceding depression.