Worry is a misuse of the imagination
Stress becomes problematic when a person is continuously preoccupied with stressors and the body’s autonomic nervous system is overdriven by perceiving situations and events as threatening, even when they aren't. Chronic, excessive anxiety that is difficult to manage and interferes with your day-to-day life can lead to disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder.
Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary and can be present to children and adults alike. They may include persistent worrying or anxiety about a number of areas that may easily shift from one topic to another, difficulty handling uncertainty, edginess, restlessness or irritability, tiring easily, impaired concentration or feeling as though the mind goes blank, increased muscle aches or soreness and difficulty sleeping.
Panic Disorder is an anxiety disorder based primarily on the occurrence of recurrent and often unexpected panic attacks. Expected panic attacks are associated with specific fears, such as that of flying. Unexpected panic attacks have no apparent trigger or cue and may seem to occur without warning.
A panic attack refers to a distinct period (about 10 minutes) intense fear or discomfort and is characterized by symptoms such as palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, a feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint, feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization), fear of losing control, going crazy or dying, numbness or tingling sensations (paresthesias) and chills or hot flushes.
It is important to make sure that the attacks are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (such as drug use or a medication) or a general medical condition.
Living with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder can be challenging. Generalized anxiety disorder can be improved with psychotherapy and/or medications, lifestyle changes, learning coping skills and using relaxation techniques.