Notes

Because psychological stress reactions and symptoms from imaginative fears happen in the brain, to observers in society, it seems that generalized anxiety has only a moderate impact on one’s ability to function in day-to-day activities. But, this means the condition remains undetected and undiagnosed, causing these victims to fight the condition and cope with their apprehensive minds alone. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 70% of the Americans with this condition struggle by themselves, and only 25% of the patients that suffer with GAD end up receiving proper care.


Mygooddays.org explains “Silent illnesses are difficult to manage because non-sufferers struggle to understand the complications of these conditions.” And for GAD, family members and friends will have trouble helping a sufferer because they may not present visible symptoms and tangible needs. Likewise, primary care doctors minimize their symptoms to stress because the physical symptoms of generalized anxiety and stress are very similar.


Although symptoms of the disorder can wax and wane, generalized anxiety disorder, frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed, causes these patients to have trouble functioning and great distress in society.