Living with generalized anxiety disorder

Ever wondered what it’s like for someone with GAD to go about their day? Maybe you know someone with GAD, but do you really know what their thoughts and emotions are? If you don't have GAD, it can be hard to understand what it feels like. This video will take you through the inner thoughts of someone with this anxiety disorder, and then transition into causes, prevalence rates and treatment options.
This video was made by McMaster students Sandra Yousif, Hajer Nakua, Nimi Patel and Nivy Pattathil in collaboration with the McMaster Demystifying Medicine Program.
Subscribe to the McMaster Demystifying Medicine KZbin channel: / demystifyingmedicine
This video is provided for general and educational information only. Please consult your health care provider for Information about your health.
Copyright McMaster University 2018
#DemystifyingMedicine, #MentalHealth
References:
Reynolds, C. R., & Kamphaus, R. W. (Eds.). (2003). Handbook of psychological and educational assessment of children: Personality, behavior, and context (Vol. 2). Guilford Press.
Section B - Anxiety disorders. (2015, November 27). Retrieved March 02, 2018, from www.statcan.gc....
Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada. (n.d.). Retrieved March 02, 2018, from www.anxietycana...
World Health Organization. (2017). Depression and other common mental disorders: global health estimates.
Kadam, U. T., Croft, P., McLeod, J., & Hutchinson, M. (2001). A qualitative study of patients' views on anxiety and depression. Br J Gen Pract, 51(466), 375-380.
Hjeltnes, A., Binder, P. E., Moltu, C., & Dundas, I. (2015). Facing the fear of failure: An explorative qualitative study of client experiences in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program for university students with academic evaluation anxiety. International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being, 10(1), 27990.
Craske, M. G., Rapee, R. M., Jackel, L., & Barlow, D. H. (1989). Qualitative dimensions of worry in DSM-III-R generalized anxiety disorder subjects and nonanxious controls. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 27(4), 397-402.

[@buckwheatfried]

People who don’t have this just don’t understand. If I hear just relax or calm down one more time I will scream.

[@buckwheatfried]

Rebecca Rempel GAD is not something you can explain to others. I always hear “oh yes I have anxiety too”. GAD is not just anxiety. It affects every aspect of your life. It is the inability to shut off your thoughts , it’s the constant worrying about things that seem unimportant to others. Emotions are multiplied by 100. Rebecca , have you seen a MD for your condition? If not I highly recommend it. It has worked wonders for me.

[@buckwheatfried]

FAST REVOLVER Your symptoms do sound like GAD. I recommend you go see a psychiatrist so you can get an official diagnosis. That way he can get you started on treatment plan.

[@gisselcoutinho1751]

buckwheatfried Same people just don’t understand :/

[@originalZzZ]

ikr they dont understand

[@nixynew732]

honestly I know, people will always say "nothing bad is going to happen so stop worrying about nothing" its honestly so annoying

[@evagenesiz7802]

That feeling like your having a good day then this wave of anxiousness comes in that will ruin your whole day. Then it keeps repeating everysingle time/day

[@bernicelove24]

Whenever I get anxiety one of the things I do is scratching my arm a lot and it hurts because of how anxious I get I can’t help but to scratch and bite my lower lip it really sucks dealing with anxiety most of the time ,panic attacks are my biggest fear thinking that I don’t want to experience it so bad it’s like you never know when anxiety can creep up on you and it’s so overwhelming dealing with it at night as well. I am currently taking therapy but it seems like when there is a situation at work or thinking about past moments what could have gone better it triggers it and I get very paranoid … there is times that I can be social with others and love to go out doors but then there is days where my anxiety creeps up and I just can’t seem to control it for that day it gets worse and when I tend to have panic attacks it builds up where I could faint or just break into tears on the floor wanting help so I know my disorder won’t get better right now but I can hope for the best

[@isriphel]

@@bernicelove24 I’ve understand where you are coming from. The best thing you can do is continue talking to your therapist to learn new healthy coping strategies. Personally, when I feel the anxiety getting to a tipping point, the best thing for me to do is go in a steamy shower and use aromatherapy soaps. (I like to use eucalyptus soap because the smell calms me down) Also while in the shower, I take deeps breaths while thinking and asking myself about why I am stressed (Usually there is no reason, but if there is it is usually unrealistic). Lastly, try mindfulness, it is a type of meditation where you focus on your breath and the present moment. I hope any of my advice has helped you out in anyway.

[@bernicelove24]

@@isriphel hello there 👋 I would like to start off by saying I thank you so much for taking your time of the day writing this to me , you know dealing with anxiety may not be easy but we can have the courage of controlling it the best we can it may be difficult some days but there is still hope’s in life we can survive anything coming our way or if we are in pain right now we can fix ourselves to do so much more 😌. I do agree on the relaxing showers also with cold water helps too makes you feel so calm 🛀 I would like to say I hope you can take care of your health and get better somehow it may not be easy but I’m sure you have so much strength in yourself There is something about a good smell of soaps or even candles that can calm us down 🙌 especially in the winter the smell of rain ☺️ one thing I will say is that I may not know you but you seem like a very kind person and I’m sure you have goals /dreams /hopes in life may they all come true someday ✨ I honestly appreciate your advice it was kind and helpful it’s been a while I haven’t replied to someone on KZbin but anyway I’m sure whatever life throws us we can manage to handle it with strength:)

[@isriphel]

@@bernicelove24 Thank you for the heart filled reply

[@bernicelove24]

@@isriphel yeah of course! Glad to hear it I hope you’re doing well 🙌😆

[@ArtHustlerAcademy]

Walking prisoner in your own body. Mine has spiraled out of control so much that I was worried I was borderline schizophrenic because I could not stop the thoughts of my anxiety over my logical, sound mind.

[@TigerGemini98]

I have also thought that I was schizophrenic because of my anxiety. Thank you for posting this. Makes me feel less alone.

[@buckwheatfried]

It sounds like you have General Anxiety Disorder. It is constant worry/thinking about insignificant things or things you have no control over all the time. I feel like I can’t turn my brain off and I worry about everything.

[@ArtHustlerAcademy]

@@buckwheatfried You are correct. That’s exactly what it is.

[@mrksskr8236]

also thought I had borderline

[@nadiaazzabi9549]

I have diagnosed myself all possible mental illnesses I'm not surprised anymore😭

[@Greggorious123]

I'm diagnosed with GAD, and it literally affects EVERY aspect of my life

[@AnimalFacts027]

This video, made me anxious

[@SPGreenLifestyle]

Same...awful

[@puddlee]

...

[@Florentina-ox9xq]

I feel bad for Nikki.

[@laurisolups6563]

I'm already anxious. I think I won't watch it then. Thanks for the trigger warning.

[@Lilly-um7cm]

Same i had to turn the music of

[@joelrichardson7989]

I feel comfortable here knowing that other people have GAD with me and that I’m not alone

[@GARY-yu8pc]

It's a horrible exsistence out of work at the moment possible I could loose it just can't see a future

[@readingwithandreea6718]

@@GARY-yu8pc Hi Lucky, I have bad anxiety too. Maybe u want to talk on insta or somewhere. I don’t really have anyone to talk to..that can understand

[@GARY-yu8pc]

@@readingwithandreea6718 I'm not on insta sorry just nice to know I'm not on my own I feel at times people don't believe me it's really getting to me. How about you?

[@readingwithandreea6718]

@@GARY-yu8pc Too bad...it would have been nice to talk more. It’s lonely and people don’t get it. My family is trying to understand..but I hate when they say..’just think positive and it will go away’. Wish it was that easy... How about you? Are u able to go to work..go outside..have fun?

[@GARY-yu8pc]

@@readingwithandreea6718 Out of work a week now haven't gone outside. I know if only it was that easy to think positive we'd be fine have tried CBT THERAPY it didn't help have been on so many meds I feel helpless and useless. Do you ever feel people are laughing at you?

[@jeanevalerie3324]

Same Nikki...same.

[@ClaudiaJacksonx]

I was diagnosed with GAD very very recently. I can honestly say before my first panic attack, I did not understand how serious anxiety was. I am doing a lot better. Going on walks everyday, taking my medicine everyday, and taking therapy. It’s stressful because I’m always scared I’m going to panic any time for no reason like my first attack happened. What helps is knowing I’m not alone and my plan is to help young people in the future with mental illness so I changed my major from accounting to psychology and I have no regrets!

[@sandeep2435]

Exactly is the case with mine.Always i feel stressed with out any reason.Though i am economically sound,i have good wife, beautiful daughter,good job( physics lecture) still i feel fear and streesed.I know that i feel streesed with no reason still i can't control it

[@ClaudiaJacksonx]

sandeep2435 make sure you have a day off every week to relax and take care of yourself. Go on walks with your wife and daughter. Find a hobby like painting or something! You got this!!!!!!

[@edwinlewis6568]

SAME HERE. YET ITS WORSE AT NIGHT. IT JUST NEVER STOPS 😣😣😣

[@Jake22419]

Edwin Lewis worse in the summer too😒

[@ClaudiaJacksonx]

Frea Mulholland Frea Mulholland I get that it’s really hard to tell your family because they probably wouldn’t understand. I would for sure go to a school counselor and talk to them first because they will take the time to listen to you. I’m not saying your family won’t, but they really won’t understand until they learn more about it. It’s something really new for parents so they will think it’s all in our heads. Anxiety and depression is extremely common nowadays. Self care treatments help a lot. Going on walks everyday, eating healthy, etc. Our bodies are more intelligent than we think. I am here for you if you ever need someone to talk to. I understand anxiety and it’s terrifying. I can’t help much on the depression part, but I know counselors are always there to help. I hope things get better for you. ❤️

[@archestralsong1484]

I was diagnosed with GAS last year, I've always known I had anxiety issues, its difficult to go around highschool acting like other students, I have constant panic attacks and its gotten bad enough that I pass out as a defense mechanism. I'm training a service dog and am trying to get better, alot of what I feel is shown in this video and I plan to show it to my friends and family to help them understand my daily struggle. Thankyou for making this!

[@buckwheatfried]

gorsefeather do you take medication, if so what are you taking and does it help you?

[@Timmering]

gorsefeather hahahaha. You have no idea how many times my phone has autocorrected GAD to GAS

[@Timmering]

gorsefeather you are very strong

[@ech_eff]

How does one know that he has GAD

[@mimikyu__-]

Hira Fatima Its diagnosed by a professional. Either a primary doctor or a psychiatrist.

[@ashtoncork2915]

I was diagnosed in 5th grade and will be 20 in around 3 months. It has been a struggle that many people dont understand and wouldnt last a day with it. We are stronger than we believe.

[@user22072-]

As someone who has been diagnosed with severe anxiety it’s so awful sometimes, I hear one noise at night and can’t move for hours, I feel everyone is out to get me and constantly get feelings of dread just from everyday tasks, I analyze every single detail of everything, my mind is constantly whirring. I hyper focus on things and it feels like I see and hear everything that’s going on around me like an overload of panic based on things that COULD go wrong. Sometimes I find myself planning every possible solution to any situation that could happen to me. I pick at my skin and fidget and it makes me physically sick and gives me headaches. It’s exhausting and it’s so normalized and played down in society

[@deepchange2973]

What's warser is the head pressure chronic headaches. Dizziness, fatigue, trouble sleeping, short-term memory loss, chest pain and shallow breathing, muscles pain and cramps. Hands and feet tangling. Heart beatings so fast to the points you can't walk... I thought I had brain injury I had MRI and visited 3 neurologists until I found by myself that it was anxiety disorder and I need the help of a psychologist... Oh my goodness after 3 months of medications I feel better... The problem of the anxiety disorder is that it happens without any reason and at anytime

[@ClaudiaJacksonx]

deep change oh my gosh. Yes. The head pressure. It feels like my head is going to just POP and the heart palpitation freak me out because I think I’m going to have another panic attack. My first one was TRAUMATIZING I mean I thought I was going brain dead after what I thought was a heart attack. I never knew mental illnesses were this strong until I got diagnosed with GAD. You’re not alone. ❤️

[@ghlow6346]

Man, I hope you're doing better. My anxiety is ruining day to day life for me. Summer has calmed it down a little bit, but I don't know how I'm gonna live when school comes back around. I used to love school. Then, like other kids, around 3rd grade, school became more of a chore. Now, it's hell. I can't. I'm gonna break down crying if I have another attack in school. I can't. I don't know what to do. I'm not officially diagnosed yet, but if I don't have anxiety, then I don't know what's wrong with me and I don't know if I can continue living like this. I can't. This is too much anxiety. I don't want to be alive, but im not suicidal. I don't want to kill myself, but I don't want to have to bear this pain. It's horrible. I'm seeing all these success stories in the comments and I've decided. Fuck it, I'm going to the doctor when I get back from vacation. I'm gonna get help. I need it. I wish you all the best.

[@oliverjames240]

Head pressure is the worst, I thought so many times I was having a brain aneurysm. Literally everything you just said I have the same and every daybfeels like a constant battle with myself. Im glad to hear you're feeling better

[@deepchange2973]

@@oliverjames240 I feel great now and my life is back.. I am taking Lexapro Grandaxin Haloperidol I hope you will be fine soon just explain to your doctor your simptoms... Now I am very happy I don't have head pressure and none of the anxiety disorder problems I don't even stopped worrying..... By the way Lexapro has some sexual side effects you have to deal with it... Like the decrease of libido and the sexuality.. Other than that I am fine.. Also I gained weight but not too much

[@deepchange2973]

@@ghlow6346 sorry for the late reply I really didn't see your post I hope you are doing well now.. Go see the doctor as soon as possible.. Ask him or her to give you the necessary medication for anxiety disorder and head pressure... Only medication can help you regain your normal life... I tried meditation and sports..yes sports help to regain strength and meditation help get emotional stability but not helping to solve the problem even with 1 % medication is the best way and only way to salvation

[@caribaez5711]

Generalized anxiety disorder feels like hell! Ocd with a bunch of anxieties you cannot really define. Basically I am learning you can talk to people like an extrovert, but you need alone time like a professional introvert. Or else you go crazy with your anxieties: you cannot control it. People with generalized anxiety need counsel almost every time. Even having GAD leads you to OCD intrusive thoughts.

[@ameldalaw]

The problem is.. a therapy session is expensive and what if my parents don’t understand what I’m going through

[@deepchange2973]

Go to a regular doctor and ask him or her to give you anti-anxiety medication.. I did that before

[@2waffle758]

@@deepchange2973 But the medication doesn't guarantee a full treatment.

[@luketh3Goat]

You can get a free therapy in my country but you have to wait for it around 3 months or so

[@JoseRuiz-bu8ze]

I felt like that. I just talked to my mom and how severe it was. I too thought they would never understand. Anxiety is something that is in your head. There’s nothing we can do. There is light at the other side of tunnel.

[@stefanjevtichh3294]

@@2waffle758 How to off this disorder? 1. Take some SSRI shit... 2. While u are on this drug and feel orgasam of life, dont waste ur time. Change ur life(friends, work or place where you loving) Its cost 20$ of medication for 6 moths and ur energy.

[@edwinlewis6568]

Omg it wont ever stop. !!!! Even my meds dont help anymore!!!!!!😣😣😣.I am so tired of feeling death approach and being sore and hurt. I just want to be normal like everyone else !!!!!

[@ariannqueenn8575]

I hope all is well

[@edwinlewis6568]

Hi still the same. Worse actually...

[@GARY-yu8pc]

@@edwinlewis6568 Just going through comments just seen yours it hard as hell. Have you a family of your own? The reason I ask is I have n I feel like I'm letting them down. Going to work is becoming harder everyday hiding how I'm feeling whilst going through all the symptoms some days I just want to walk away from it.

[@sagarsalunke9903]

@@edwinlewis6568 try dark chocolate (75 % above cacao).

[@marinaalonso7315]

I fell the same way... It's just too overwhelming, a friend just asked me if there is anything wrong with me, what am I supposed to tell her, there is nothing wrong and everything is wrong at the same time... I'm so tired of this

[@georgianadeister5039]

I get how emotions are multiplied by 100. I just don’t get anxious over absolutely nothing. I get anxious over little things, but it seems like those little things ruin my whole life. Sometimes I’m sad for no reason, but that doesn’t happen often. Do I still have GAD?

[@georgianadeister5039]

Also I get anxiety attacks often, they used to happen every week. I dropped out of elementary school and was homeschooled for four years, because my dread of going to school was so bad. I hated school, and when people would tell me that they did too, it made me angry because I knew no one hated school as much as I did. I would cry every day when I got into class. But that’s besides the point I guess

[@sarahk9189]

It might have died down, but it still might just, like be there.

[@dramatictoons9303]

Omg me too!

[@czr7j9]

Go see an counciler, or if that is no good a phychiatrist, they could help

[@nataliasafar6769]

i feel that too omg

[@jamieoakwolf5949]

I have GAD, Social anxiety, separation anxiety. NO ONE UNDERSTANDS HOW HARD IT IS! To go through your life trying to hide from people and constantly worrying about your parents might be dying at home whilst trying to balance everything else. It really doesn't help that I'm non binary and I have anger issues and depression. I'm constantly feeling like I am nothing and if I died no one would care. It's so hard... Excersice does help a bit

[@EL-eq8cy]

horse lover/ saddle club lover YOU ARE NOT ALONE

[@jett6275]

I've been thinking I have this for about 2-3 years but still undiagnosed. I don't know if I'm ever gonna go to therapist. If it isn't GAD, it has to be something else because I know I'm not alright 😞 For those who are getting help, I'm so very happy for you. For those that aren't, I hope we'll get help someday.

[@shitijsablania4995]

I'd suggest visiting a physician first and explain all the issues you have been facing as this will help you with making a decision about visiting a psychiatrist. I followed the same steps. Now I am on SSRIs and feeling better.

[@Bae2Mari3]

I have GAD and this is spot on. It’s intensely stressful and it’s developed for me to the point where I’m having panic seizures

[@SuzukiRacer055]

I am 31 now and have been dealing with this since 7th grade. Now it has gotten so bad that I havent been able to work for over 3 years. Recently the thoughts of suicide and wanting to die have taken over my life. I hope that I can find relief soon because I cannot keep continuing like this for very much longer.

[@SuzukiRacer055]

@@KiwiMike Still the same. Cannot work or perform basic everyday normal tasks. Constant never ending worry or dread along with paranoia. 3 different psych doctors throwing antidepressants at it which are absolutely garbage and dangerous. So tired of a miserable and sad life. I have so many dreams I wanna do but it's impossible when I can't even walk to the mailbox without having extreme overwhelming dread.

[@FireWork-nc8ib]

​@@SuzukiRacer055😢

[@TuckerTheReader]

Edit- Well, it's been a year since I posted this comment and I am still living with GAD but I am doing SO much better. Therapy, medication and switching schools helped a lot :) this is how i have been feeling. every day. for ten years. i can't get out of bed. i have no friends. i have failed all my classes. i know i'm not alone but i sure do feel alone

[@mitchelparker9745]

You are not alone! You need to say “I don’t care how scary life seems, I’m going to push through it anyways!” The only way to get rid of your fears is to conquer them.

[@jomac8660]

Try AMAre GLOBEL. Buy the fundamentals pack plus you will feel a lot better.

[@anamikasaxena1789]

I am facing it too !! but we need to understand that all the thougts are irrational and seems as important thougts but we cannot stop the thougts ,we can stop reacting on those thougts !!.......If the thougt come that I m lonely let it come ,but don't react on it.....you have to understand these all thougts are making us fool......best of luck my dear 👍

[@marianalancadeoliveira2355]

Please know you are not alone! I hope you can find help and treatment! You deserve that!

[@TuckerTheReader]

@@marianalancadeoliveira2355 thank you! I'm happy to say that I am doing much better now

[@rivers3202]

So I've got social anxiety not GAD, but every time I see something like this I'm still shocked by how much I can relate to this and I'm reminded that my brain is actually fucked 😂 so yay for having a mental illness

[@annoyingmusiclover1936]

I have mostly GAD, but also a little social anxiety...... neither are officially diagnosed specifically, but my therapist told me that I do have anxiety... I just haven’t specifically asked what type and haven’t gone to a psychiatrist. Yeah these are relatable.

[@thememeyboi8768]

GAD doesn't make your brain shit

[@thememeyboi8768]

I think you have something else

[@theweirdos3563]

Niki 's day is my day every day . When I do something I find embarrassing but other people don't remember I think about it at night . When I am around different classmate without my friends I stress I might do something embarrassing. not joking niki feels how I feel me exactly

[@Pluvillion]

There's this one line that I keep on asking almost everyone. I would watch TV, play a game, walking outside, don't my homework and I'd just ask, out of the blue, "Why am I worrying?". Nope. I don't know the answer, too. Heck, even my mom's confused as to why I'm worrying. Like, I graduated highschool yesterday. Pre-event, obviously, I was nervous as to what's going to happen. But the day afterwards, I still felt like as if I was "missing" something and that I should focus myself on it. The thing is, **I** don't even know what's going on and it's like I'm getting anxious of myself getting anxious for no apparent reason at all. I'd do things for distraction, and bam. It disappears. But once I heard a word or a sentence that's "similar" to the thing I'm worried about, that's where everything starts to kick in. Tl:dr; It's confusing and scary to the point where I, myself, have no idea what the fuck's going on and that there's *SOMETHING* wrong but I just can't tell *WHAT.*

[@sandeep2435]

Exactly is the case with mine.Always i feel streed with out any reason.Though i am economically sound,i have good wife, beautiful daughter,good job( physics lecture) still i feel fear and streesed.I know that i feel streesed with no reason still i can't control it.Even in my case when i meet my friends or go outside for shopping i forget everything.As i am relaxed and stress free now again i have a feeling that i have some kind of stress and again my anxiety starts again.

[@menelbens2190]

Same, My only symptom is being worried for no reason, medication helps tho

[@ayesha6333]

I recently was diagnosed with GAS and watching this made me cry. This is scarily accurate. I'm relieved that I'm not alone and hopefully I'm on the pathway to healing 🙏

[@taradewan2495]

To live with gad is really hard and I feel brain fog and dizziness all the day😭

[@GARY-yu8pc]

Are you doing any better?

[@silicasenpai2941]

I have GAD. I've had it all my life. I got it genetically from my father. Everyone's symptoms are different, so here are mine. I imagine my anxiety like a bird on my shoulder, contradicting everything I say. It gets to the point where u think of conversations I could have with people, and even to the point of my family; I don't talk. When I do, I talk very quietly. That isn't the worst though, I can't focus. Focusing for me is like a lightswitch. Sometimes I can focus, sometimes I can't. It makes school hard. I don't only have anxiety, but I have an adjustment disorder. Not many people know what that is?.. it's a lower level of depression. From my anxiety has also sprouted insomnia. I take medication for my insomnia, and I'm thinking of taking medication for my anxiety soon. There are a uncountable amount of things that happen to me on a daily basis that I can't explain with WORDS. Just.. in mindset it's torture. With my generalized anxiety attacks, everything would be going fine and than the bird comes in and flys into my shoulder. (I imagine this bird as a black crow) Oh! Another side affect I rember now is I hear things that aren't there. Mostly to the point where I can't handle it and do.. things. It scares me in unexplainable ways. I just start breaking down and sobbing. Most importantly, I scare myself. I scare myself because of what I can do to myself. So, I guess I could say I have a more severe case of anxiety. I'm thinking about getting a service dog, as well. I'm very young to be having all these.. things happening. But I have been through human manipulation, mental abuse, and many other things that I can't bear to mention. I hope that you have a swell day. But if someone compares themselves to another person with anxiety one more time.. I swear to God. Don't. Don't compare mental disorders. Just fucking don't.

[@1NFERN0HD]

Best thing is certain medications and reading on the inner critique . It makes me so angry to have to be helped for something that’s a part of me but it takes a while

[@badguybeats]

You doing well now?

[@nikeshcs8728]

I am just screwed up with this,don't know where life is taking me,but I decided to face things....any body reading this you are not alone,,we will conquer this

[@nbj6284]

Watching this video really eased my anxiety because i know that my obsessive thoughts arent weird and that all of my problems have an origin. I feel relieved and also anxious about the possibility of not having it? Well here you go, another irational thought.

[@_aidid]

I had been diagnosed with GAD, and know that how it feels to be constantly anxious. I visit a psychiatrist monthly, and have been recovering well since I started the treatment.

[@dom5797]

You're not alone man I feel your pain!

[@_aidid]

@@dom5797 I feel horrible when I look back at my distressful old days. Now, I try to help people who are struggling inside.

[@latoniareneedaniels9061]

Hello Aidid what was you treatment. Inspirational comment. Thank you for sharing.

[@Infinite_AM]

Thanks for making a video that just makes people try to read while loud piano plays over a series of photos w people looking distressed. Way to go.

[@Manuelita0001]

When the video compares the two students, the following quote: "Goes over every problem in her head and questions her self-worth. She wonders wheter she deserves to be a student at her university" made me cry. It hits too close to home, it's literally what i am feeling anxious about in this very moment. I am diagnosed with GAD for about 5 years now. Being a university student and preparing my career is my number one reason to worry every single day for years on end. Please do not diminish the seriousness of this disorder, more often than not it's almost impossible to do any task at all. Every wish in my life and possible dreams i might have involve having a functional brain and dealing with ordinary human stuff in a healthier manner.

[@Quetzlcoatl]

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is one of my many Disorders, it's tough.

[@ozziesfroggy]

I was diagnosed with GAD when i was 9 and i'm 13 now i've been told the same thing every time i have an anxiety attack which i have probably at least 1 a week but a lot more i've gotten better as in jan and feb i would have probably had multiple severe ones a day but a video cat explain the struggles and neither can i so often people get annoyed at me for this and they just tell me to get over it or they say ugh nevermind and stop tallking and it really hurts the amount of people who have said that to me. i know how strong i have to be to get through the day so all of you out there like me with GAD im proud of you no one but us can really understand but we push through that and just remember you're not alone :)

[@_imm0rtal_209]

I have it too People don’t understand and I get bullied for anxiety attacks crying in class only if they knew and didn’t say I was a crybaby and I overreacted only if they understood only if i didn’t have anxiety or Depression I shake constantly during anxiety attacks and say if I’m cold then I have a problem I wish no one else had anxiety no one else deserves it the therapist says I can find a way to beat it here i am 1 year later anxiety attacks almost every day at school the shivering the clammy hands.... I just wish people would understand

[@GamersXnostalgia]

I have never felt a connection to something as strongly as this. It was always hard to put it into words, and describe what I feel. Thank you, you helped me understand a little more about myself.

[@justaguy2182]

I’m starting my first job soon, and I’m already going over scenarios in my head. I think I’ve had GAD for years now, but one pandemic was all it took for it to really take off. I’ve been getting random nauseous feelings, panic attacks, it’s been hard to sleep, a lot. Luckily I’m on meds after a panic attack sent me to the ER. Don’t wait that long to tell people about your anxiety. If you think it’s serious, fight those thoughts of thinking it’s nothing. Talk to someone about what you’re feeling. A family member, Doctor, Psychologist, Friend, anyone you think can help. Psychologists should be your first priority since they went to school to learn about these things.

[@buildingbrainwaves26]

As someone who has recovered from serious OCD and anxiety, I can tell you that many of the things talked about in the video that drive anxiety are habits and decisions that can be addressed and changed with practice. You don't have to obsess over every little thing that triggers you, and you don't have to ruminate over and over in an effort to make sure things will be OK. It's certainly not easy, and it takes serious work and long term commitment, but you can slowly change the way your brain responds to your environment. Now, this DOES NOT MEAN you will never experience anxiety again if you make these positive changes, but you can get to a point where it doesn't run your life.

[@lloydclement2152]

Thank you, I was able to identify

[@shenleyreese5989]

Thank you

[@buildingbrainwaves26]

Shenley Reese any time! Just speaking from my experience

[@Mnkyclb44]

Thank you. . .

[@buildingbrainwaves26]

Yessenia Booher you bet!

[@chrisSea1346]

I’ve been diagnosed with GAD by separate doctors over the years. It’s wild watching this because I react almost exactly like Nikki does in this video. It’s rough at times, but my therapist has been helpful as much as she can be.

[@adrien6426]

is someone says just breathe one more time i will literally die on the spot

[@staytruealexx]

I have severe anxiety and don’t like to talk about it with anyone because I feel nobody understands these thoughts I have or how it feels. I feel better coming to these videos and reading the comments.

[@RB-kh6fo]

I have lived with GAD for over a decade. It is a horrible condition. People will begin to filter their image of and interactions with you through GAD.

[@mariajuanita8828]

its been years until i saw this video. thought i cant explain my anxiety

[@tanvi9456]

To anyone who has Googled to know the symptoms..... At least we're blessed & brave enough to BE AWARE that something is not normal.... Can't even think about so many ppl who do not have the courage or awareness to help themselves 😥 can be our relative or friend or partner 😣

[@sistercloud8277]

When I was younger, I would go over all the symptoms for General Anxiety Disorder and say "yeah, it would make sense if I had that", but I always convinced myself that someone else had it worse. I would tell myself that I shouldn't be complaining, I'm just sensitive and unable to control myself, that I was weak. I would tell myself that people who actually had GAD had it really, really bad, and that I was being stupid and insulting them for lumping myself in with them. Now I've been diagnosed. Part of me is saying that I knew it, I knew it all along, but a bigger part of me still doubts that I actually have it, that my therapist and doctor have lied to me, and that I'm going on antidepressants for nothing and they're just trying to get a paycheck out of the government for recommending Prozac to me. I don't even know where all this is coming from, because I trust my doctor's opinion on literally everything else. I got called a "textbook case of General Anxiety". It really does suck sometimes.

[@cherryrose5514]

Do your anti depressant work?

[@sistercloud8277]

@@cherryrose5514 They treat some of my symptoms of anxiety, but they come along with side effects of their own. I've found cognitive behavioural therapy to be much more helpful in helping control and function with my anxiety.

[@cherryrose5514]

I'm having anxiety attacks too.im depressed n I'm trying to keep my family from finding out.im trying to deal with this alone but I'm really opting out of life.

[@jomac8660]

Try AMare GLOBEL. Buy the fundamentals pack plus. All natural and better then medication.

[@zenej759]

At a young age, I was diagnosed with anxiety. I was mistreated and taken advantage of due to my condition I question my behavior and so on. Now being older makes me just try to push society to understand Anxiety and other mental illnesses. Is not fair for us to feel the need to hide and create so much negativity in our minds. It's not easy to say stop thinking or putting yourself through this but is not that is the way our minds function, so I'll say it be strong, I care for you and you are amazing. I came across this video because I still find it hard to understand my anxiety, I search for answers and I'm curious about others who go through this too. Love, a long lost friend

[@carolmhlanga2810]

Thank you for this video. I really felt all alone. I try put myself out there but it makes it worse. I ruminate over things and keep thinking I should have done everything differently... Really struggling right now

[@kristifrroku3170]

I am fighting it and all of those who have it, are fighting it for sure. The problem is: You have programmed your whole body in neurological and physical level to resist any intensive experience that has caused trauma or another event at the same state. Is just, you are in fighting stage with the whole, continuous process that comes with severe anxiety, high blood pressure, the feeling that you will pass out or feeling faint, disconnection from reality and feeling like you are unreal, experiencing events of trauma, insomnia at highest level, tingling sensation all over the body and back numbness from the nerves that gather too much blood, panic attacks suddenly coming out from nowhere that just are added to protect you mentally, dizziness, restlessness, intrusive thoughts and images coming from those mostly with OCD, hot flushes, heart palpitations, nausea, diarrhea, frequent urination, feeling more stressed than previously, ringing in ears or tinnitus effect, visual irregularities or flashes of light, phosphenes and all kind of lights and circles as black or green ect.. and any other symptom. Minimally the anxiety disorder lasts 6 months but it can lasts 1 or 2 years from the level of trauma or the very intense event. The message is: This will teach you a life lesson to not repeat it anymore.

[@sashakim9022]

As a person who has this, and anxiety in general, for people who don’t: Imagine sitting at the edge of your seat, ready to get up and run at any moment. Sometimes you know you have nothing to worry about but your brain automatically worries, you can’t stop it. I take medication and it’s the only thing that helps. I had an anxiety attack this morning and i felt so nauseous and my stomach hurt so much i thought i was going to throw up. And when someone tells you “Calm down” you have the need to just scream that you can’t, becazse it’s really hard to even think about calming down in those moments.

[@AlaisDahen]

When the video was going through the comparisons I was just like yeah that's how it's like for me. It's reassuring that I'm not alone in what I worry about.

[@jferrezmusic1350]

Learn to play the mental anxious game...become a master at it..study your anxiety...each individual case is different..get to know yourself and study the sshit out of your anxiety until you start to come up with answers to why you feel how you feel throughout the day. Study it so much that you begin to see your anxiety as a learning opportunity and your feelings emotions will begin to change about your condition...its the new warrior you vs the anxious insecure you...which one will you grow? Healing will not happen on its own..it takes courage, effort, perfect practice and being relentless in those anxious moments, to take the positive action necessary to change your anxious state from anxious to neutral to peaceful..I do it everyday! You must really want it! Your drive to heal must be greater than your fear of anxiety, and if its not right now...then make it...love yourself..replace fear with self love like you would give to a child that was going to through a rough time..you would be compassionate towards that child...No one understands you???? Then understand yourself! Be that person that you would like to have in your life..become that loving caring person that you wish you had in moments of anxiety...and grow that new identity so much...that your anxiety wont stand a chance anymore at some point. Your are a fu..cking warrior, Do NOT FORGET THAT..IF I CAN DO THIS DAIILY AND DOMINTAE, SO CAN YOU!!!! GET UP! RISE! CHEST OUT! HEAD TALL! AND SAY, ANXIETY DOESN'T STAND A CHANCE TODAY!!!!! AND FOCUS ON STAYING ON TOP OF THOUGHT...SEEING EVERY THOUGHT AS A JOKE...YOU ALREADY KNOW THE ANXIOUS BRAIN TRIES TO MAKE ANXIOUS THOUGHTS ABOUT Everything SO WHY NOT RECOGNIZE THIS WHEN IT SHOWS UP EVERTIME AND SAY..NAH...NOT ANY MORE..NOT FALLING FOR THAT TRICK ANYMORE...AND THEN FOCUS ON DOING AN ACTIVITY IN THAT MOMENT, AS DIFFICULT AS IT IS TO FOCUS...YOU MUST!! OR YOU WILL FOREVER FEEL THE SAME!!! MAKE YOUR CHOICE AND RISE WARRIOR!!!!

[@peoplelover2024]

My husband was diagnosed with GAD, among other things, 10 years ago. He has been on medication and is doing amazing. His anxiety is virtually nonexistent. Please understand that those of us who love people with GAD find it VERY DIFFICULT to live with you on a daily basis. His chemical imbalances almost wrecked our marriage. We do not want to seem cruel, but we can't understand. And then add in the fact that we are treated poorly (with irritation, curt words, anger, etc) by you causes hurts that run deep. You are not the only one who suffers. Please keep that in mind the next time you get frustrated because we are not reacting the way you think we should. Your behavior can be abusive.

[@Nonaliciaaah]

Honestly to think I didn’t know I had GAD but just thought I was crazy is… crazy. I didn’t realize others don’t normally doom everything or think about things all the time 😳

[@may.6432]

I always feel like I'm in this little home that I called a VOID, my mind keeps wandering off and keeps me thinking of the worst possible scenarios that could happen... It's hard living in life full of anxiety and insecurities...And the worst of all, you can't properly explain to them how you got that type of Anxiety... They would say it's "normal" But it isn't! Living is meant for everyone but maybe...just not..for..me

[@hartleyhare8251]

A couple of days i feel ok then BOOM i start feeling shite & anxious again. Cant shake it off🤔🤣

[@mythicalmelodies276]

Oh my God, it finally makes sense now. I know this is not a diagnostic tool, but I've been wondering for years now if maybe my anxiety is more than just stress. I'm like Nikki most times but because sometimes I can be like the other girl I've thought maybe it's all NBD but now I'm going to press my doctor and therapist about this

[@paradzaitirivashoma7758]

This is a line from a rap song that sort of stuck with me...."you talk about having a bad day? Im living life like that"

[@savagemonsters3206]

Today i opened up about my depression and suicidal thoughts and got rejected im afraid of my self

[@mitchelparker9745]

Don’t be afraid of yourself! Everyone experiences darkness in their lives. Those same people that rejected you are or will be going through hard times as well. Keep fighting I believe in you!

[@1NFERN0HD]

Sorry you got rejected but most people should be able to understand .

[@savagemonsters3206]

@@1NFERN0HD update 2years later im thriving

[@mantaramanse]

I'm also diagnosed with GAD. It's fucking not just "oh really, I feel anxious too", I remember sleeping only 5 hours in 3 days. But luckily therapy worked wonders for me and now things are getting way better. And sport kind of helped as well! (Rowing and kayaking) Good luck to all of us but there's light at the end of the tunnel.

[@angelvalentynn]

Thank God I got medicated!! GAD made my school life unbearable, now that’s I’m medicated I LOVE studying ❤️

[@latoniareneedaniels9061]

Thanks for sharing. What medication are you taking?

[@zakkimohammed1986]

Yea what medications have you been taking?

[@Be_anxious_for_nothing]

I used to be a GAD sufferer but thankfully I recovered and overcame...let me tell you all, it was just plain torture like a living nightmare that I would not wish on my worst enemies.

[@kirbyofthestars159]

I was diagnosed with GAD at 13 a few weeks after moving to Texas. It’s not easy to “just calm down” or “relax”. Even when you think you are, the unwanted negative thoughts pop up randomly in your head. The whole point of GAD is an anxiety that is hard to control, even when everything is supposedly okay. I hope society has more compassion and understanding when it comes to people with GAD.

[@blueinkheart]

I feel so attacked.

[@elfrank333]

what a coincidence i have GAD (mostly gastric symptoms) i just find this video and im moving soon from argentina to canada its a long trip im going to face a lot of anxiety for sure

[@macandhercam2828]

very well explained. 💗My anxiety is so bad i’m already triggered by this video and i’ll probably be thinking throughout the day that i still have so much to work on my self and stuff will continue to add into my mind 😞

[@LS-qt9bo]

I'm a flight responce, so when I get anxious (witch is alot) I want to run around and just move every joint in my body whilst tensing my mussles. Doesn't sound that bad until you watch a movie in a 1 hour class and you just sit there, in an uncoftorable chair, maybe sweating, maybe hyperventilating for short periods of time, but just being insanely uncomftorable. I also have other symptons, this is just my most common

[@headinthecloudsagain1735]

I just been diagnosed with this and I feel so distant I get uncomfortable around my own friends and family, I’m not working, my surroundings get uncomfortable, hard time falling asleep occasionally and when I do sleep my dreams are always dark and stormy or creepy looking sunsets and it always seems like I’m running away… I just want this to stop. Edit- I’ve been diagnosed with severe adhd and this is a package deal

[@rockrousey250oingoboingo9]

I can totally relate to how nikki feels. I have the same problem. I over analise every detail in my head. the what ifs or the possibility of anything going wrong in my daily life. I hope this is more clear to those who don't understand, cause living with this problem is pure hell.

[@kellynorthwood8148]

Social distancing has made my GAD better. The smaller I make my world, the less things I have to worry about.

[@Λυκάων]

I was feeling like that for more than a year but after I applied the acceptance method I started recovering

[@thememeyboi8768]

Mine started at the age of 7 and I don't know when I will recover makes me feel really sad

[@morartcuitart7244]

I have PTSD and GAD but my GAD is my daily struggle and I literally have an Anxiety attack and a Panic attack everytime I go out, it gets worse if im near crowds or hear too many voices all at once. My vision will get blurry, my body will slowly shut down and become too weak to support itself, my ribs and spine will feel a constant sharp pain, the inside of my chest feeling like its being stabbed over and over, I will fall to my knees, my head feels like it will split open any minute given, terrible migraines, and uncontrollable tears. It happens everytime and I cant control it, people think I fake it because it can get so physical and over the top. It's gotten so bad that I am legally disabled and need a Psychiatric Service Dog, mind you I'm only 18 years old. There are other symptoms that happen but I can't quite remember right now due to my PTSD. ( It makes it extremely difficult to remember things. )

[@Ninaandthepericles]

I don't want to struggle anymore. I want peace.

[@theknowitall4090]

Diagnosed in 2004. I would get dizzy, have fainting spells, heart palpitationsworried, dreadful. It was living hell not knowing what was wrong. I didn't want to work or leave the house. After 23 doctor visits I finally got my diagnosis.

[@robinsk5644]

That was a tough comment to read dear friend. Looks like you've been through so much. I will pray for you before I go to bed tonight. Count on it. May God be with you and show you His kindness and grace. May the love of His Son Jesus surround you and embrace you warmly. Please take care.

[@sandraadinda1996]

People : you have yo be condident Me : i really want to, but it's not that simple

[@AngelCPUDD]

I'm not Nikki entirely, because in my case there's a clear cause of it. I have to make a very important career decision with limited information. This decision includes risk as well. I'm overwhelmed, safest option isn't the one that I really want and the other is risky creating massive anxiety. I've been like this for 6 months.

[@freamulholland8904]

How do I tell people that I suffer from high functioning anxiety? I’m 11, I tried telling my mom, but she just said that I was being dramatic.

[@cutiemeowie8352]

@Deep Moticons he is 11 idiot

[@lacollis]

Hi guys love the video but I'm a native English teacher and i had to pause it twice just to read all the words before they disappear. I consider myself quite a fast reader so I can't imagine how hard it would be for someone whose first language isn't English. Please be more lenient for the non native speakers who must have to watch it on 0.5x speed. A modified slower version would be so great 🙏💜 great job, great illustration though. I'll have to find a slower one to explain my GAD to my Spanish speaking colleagues 💜

[@amandasimms8609]

Is anyone else here really good at helping others who might have anxiety as they know all the tricks but really struggle when it's them?

[@alyriv1002]

I feel like i can never explain how anxiety really ruina my everyday life

[@avasparkles6256]

I recently got diagnosed with GAD and I relate to every single one of these lol

[@actualhuman8813]

Seeing the symptoms and other stuff I am concerned about myself

[@okkotsvz]

I hate how people don't understand.

[@grommitcheese9466]

The worst thing is though when someone's trying to help you which is great but when your asked why your upset or feeling anxious and its so hard to put a pin on it because you really don't have a bloody clue

[@malenekarlsennss2255]

This video just is so good and as a person with generalized anxiety I want to show my boyfriend, for example, this video because so many of the things I relate to and the video puts it into words perfectly

[@lucacappiello8681]

Omg I don’t know why.. I just hate being anxious.. it’s been a period in my life where someone from my uncle (my aunt husband) family died...he was young 44 and I only used to see him twice a year on my cousins birthday party.. not even when my grandma died a year ago I felt like this.. he had an heart attack and since he died I always think about death.. which scares me.. but it does not happen whenever.. it starts when it gets dark so around 7 now... it lasts long but I am able to go to sleep .. when I wake up I feel fine and not anxious at all, it’s just around the night.. I am scared it’s never going to go away, I don’t want to feel like this.. I always need to talk or else I panic and I cannot think about anything but dying 😫

[@NosiphoS]

I just want this headache to go away 💔 I’m not even asking for a cure to anything

[@Sangwoo.0h]

GAD sucks but I hate it when like I wake up and then boom I get anxious and stuff like to where I can’t leave my room my anxiety/panic attacks are like a daily thing now there’s more stuff but I don’t want to say much but GAD is not fake nor are people trying to seek attention with it so please don’t think people are faking it when not and please try to help someone with anxiety or any mental disorders or disabilities

[@nishilbhartiya]

It's not only about studying and education though...

[@shaggy94doo92]

Me it with my health , I struggle daily , the slightest thing feels different and I immediately jump to somthing way worse and some irrelevant and I panic and stress in silence all day and everyone just says relax your fine , health wise maybe mentally not at all most people don’t understand , they say just ignore it and stay calm , yeah if only

[@imjustdepressed8221]

I'm 15 and i was diagnosed with GAD.

[@jakematt3155]

Dose anyone feels tired and want to fall asleep but can’t because of the weir feeling in your chest, and whenever you are alone the feeling got worse.

[@readingwithandreea6718]

Yes! :(

[@caribaez5711]

I have lost few friends due to this. I had a female friend who told me we were not the same because I didn’t wanted to do what people like to do in a Friday night such as go clubbing. I really don’t understand why she rejected me and quit been my friend but now I see all of this intrusive thoughts and every day anxiety comes all about. I got diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder but I never understood. I used to pray a lot and that relaxed me. Later I quit thinking I had GAD but the symptoms kept appearing due to sensitivity to noise environment. I read an old letter to myself talking about this diagnosis when my therapist to lay me about it. I now can reason that GAD is chronic. The only way I can fix it is by been alone at the end of the day. I have to write my own thing or I else go crazy meaning I cannot control it. If I have to hang out with people, I don’t have to talk a lot but I hate shopping. I don’t like to go shopping especially the mall unless I really need to see what I need. I can observe people in the mall but if I have to go shopping, I have to wonder in the store by myself unless I am confortable with a person.

[@jaideortega2472]

So, I have not been diagnosed with this but I’m almost 100% sure that I have it. My family doesn’t want to take me to the doctor because they know that they will prescribe some medicine to me that they don’t want me to take. I don’t know how to tell them but I want to take that medicine, I feel that it will really help me. Tonight I accidentally stayed up watching KZbin (yes I know, irresponsible of me) and now I feel so nauseous, shaky, scared, and anxious about me having to go to school in FOUR hours. I don’t know what to do... I tried to sleep and I stopped because I had that feeling where I knew I was about to have sleep paralysis. So do I just not sleep tonight? I really don’t want to do that but I think I have to.

[@robinsk5644]

Your comment touched my heart dear friend. I will be praying for you just as soon as I'm finished typing this. You can count on it. May God be with you and show you His wonderful kindness and grace. May the love of His Son Jesus surround you and embrace you warmly. Yes, friend, I give Him my own anxiety daily and He carries my load. Please take care.

[@nothingatall6260]

what if i have the two feelings, stressed and anxious?

[@mohammadalmutairi3202]

Depressed

[@fuckmyhatjustfelldown8945]

okay I'll update myself on if I cried in a few mins

[@Solotocius]

Medicine works, still some crises here and there but I'm way better than before meds.

[@waniaabdullah6016]

my mind just spirals out of control.

[@Fawnyglo]

I’m diagnosed with GAD and depression some days I feel fine then after I feel sad, and have negative thoughts running through my head. I don’t have friends I lock myself in my room and don’t know what to do. I loose interest in things.

[@charleswalter977]

I have been having constant and unbearable anxiety because of my work Dr. Adam is life saver. Thank you

[@sassypotato4747]

I found out 2 years ago I had it It was really hard but I found other people who are like me and have anxiety