How To Get Help When Worry Takes Over Your Life

Eileen's face lit up when she spoke of her courtship with her husband, Steve.

"He was so tall and handsome and I was so in love," she said. "When he would put his arms around me, I knew that nothing could hurt me."

After they married, the relationship grew to be strong and supportive.

"Steve was somewhat shy and a bit of a worrier, but these traits were very manageable and we got along just fine," Eileen said.

In time, however, things began to change and Steve fell into a severe emotional state. Eileen realized that Steve had a problem with being overly concerned about things that were not in any way threatening. She also realized that most of his family had similar behaviors.

Steve's condition worsened. He began to suffer from insomnia, severe headaches and other physical aches and pains. The marriage became strained because Steve began to transmit his anxiety to his family. Steve did not recognize that his problems were emotional - even after a series of medical tests were negative and a thorough examination by his family doctor resulted in a clean bill of health. Finally, he lapsed into a severe state of depression.

Eileen contacted Freedom From Fear, a mental illness advocacy organization, and was referred to a treatment center in their area.

Steve was diagnosed with a medical condition called generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. Millions of Americans suffer from this debilitating illness.

If left untreated, GAD can cause major difficulties and disruptions in a person's life. Evidence also suggests that people with GAD have higher rates of medical conditions such as hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome.

Scientists are beginning to understand that this illness and other anxiety disorders can develop because of abnormalities in specific brain circuits. Family genetics and history are factors in who is vulnerable to these illnesses as well.

Fortunately, Steve received successful treatment for his illness. It included medication to relieve his symptoms and therapy to learn adjustment strategies. He developed coping skills to deal with situations that would normally cause him excessive worry and concern.

"Treatment saved me from a miserable life of worry and anguish," he said. "Best of all, I no longer feel embarrassment about my illness."

By:
Rick Young

For more information about anxiety disorders or to find a mental health professional in your area, contact Freedom From Fear at (888) 442-2022 or visit www.freedomfromfear.org. You also can write to Freedom From Fear at 308 Seaview Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305. -NU