• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS
  • YoutubeYoutube
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram
Dr Sarah Allen LogoDr Sarah Allen Logo 847 791-7722 Telephone and online sessions available
  • Home
  • About Sarah
  • Media Interviews
  • Anxiety & Depression
    • Anxiety Treatment
    • FREE Anxiety Book
    • Depression Treatment
    • Free Depression Book
    • Simple Steps To Improve Your Mood Workshop
  • Pregnancy Postpartum
    • Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood Disorders
    • Free Guide To Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood Issues
    • New Mom Workshop
    • Women’s Counseling
  • Eating & Weight Issues
  • Couples & Families
    • Relationship Coaching
    • Family Therapy
    • Parenting Coaching
  • Fees & FAQs
    • Initial Assessment Forms
    • Fees & Insurance Info
    • Telephone & Video Counseling
    • Appointment
      Rescheduling Policy
  • Blog
    • All Blogs
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Relationship Coaching
    • Eating & Weight Issues
    • Family Counseling
    • Parenting
    • Pregnancy and Postpartum
    • Teens
    • Women’s Issues
  • Contact & Directions
  • Contact
  • Directions

What is The Difference Between Normal Worrying & Anxiety?

by Dr. Sarah Allen
separator

Normal anxiety medium

Does this sound familiar?

“I can’t get my thoughts to stop going round and around”

“I wake up with a feeling of dread and I don’t know why”

“My husband is late home from work, he was supposed to be here 30 minutes ago but hasn’t called as he usually does. Oh God, he must have had an accident!”

We all have worries, fears and concerns. Most people spend time worrying about job concerns or relationship worries or maybe about a specific upcoming event i.e. a test or a month with higher bills than usual. What sets worry apart from anxiety is the inability to be able to switch the worries off and go on to enjoys other aspects of your life.

Sometimes people are anxious about a specific thing such as a phobia about dogs or certain situations can cause social anxiety but when you experience a constant and exaggerated sense of tension, an inability to relax and you can’t pinpoint a reason why you feel so stressed it could be you are experiencing Generalized Anxiety Disorder, as called GAD.

Not everyone with GAD experiences the same symptoms but most people have a combination of of the following emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms.

GAD Symptoms relating to your Emotions

  • Constant worries running through your head that you can’t switch off
  • Intrusive thoughts about things that make you anxious; you try to avoid thinking about them, but you can’t, they keep popping in to your head
  • An inability to tolerate uncertainty; you need to know what’s going to happen in the future
  • A pervasive feeling of apprehension or dread

 GAD Symptoms that affect your Behavior

  • Inability to relax, enjoy quiet time, or be by yourself
  • Difficulty concentrating or focusing on things
  • Putting things off because you feel overwhelmed
  • Avoiding situations that make you anxious

 GAD Symptoms that are Physical

  • Feeling tense; having muscle tightness or body aches
  • Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because your mind won’t quit
  • Feeling edgy, restless, or jumpy
  • Stomach problems, nausea, diarrhea

So why do people get generalized anxiety? Research is looking at how brain chemicals effect your emotions and how your genes may give you at a predisposition to getting GAD. I think, and many psychologists agree, that it is a mix of DNA, your environment and psychological factors that affect whether you get it or not. Anyone can develop GAD too, even children and when I talk to my clients who have GAD and ask them about their first memory of experiencing anxiety, they often trace it back to late childhood or teenage years. But it can first occur any time between childhood and middle age with women being twice as likely to experience it than men.

If you’ve struggled with anxiety and fears for a long time, it is very likely that you are experiencing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. But what if your symptoms are relatively short-term? Some medical conditions and/or medications can actually cause anxiety or perhaps you have recently experienced a traumatic event or situation? It is important to see a mental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis and also to assess whether you are experiencing other problems that often co-exist with GAD i.e. depression, substance abuse, phobias etc. The bottom line though is that all these problems are very treatable and you don’t need to be feeling like this. Reach out and get some help.

When clients first come in to see me, the main concerns that come up again and again are:

  1. How can I feel less stressed, angry and overwhelmed?

  2. What should I do if I feel panicky?

  3. How can I stop worrying about everything: my children, partner, friends, work, my “to do” list….

SIMPLE STEPS TO OVERCOME ANXIETY & WORRYING ebook

So I put together a booklet with some strategies I am always giving to my clients to help them begin to feel less anxiety and to worry less.

I hope that you will find it helpful too.

Add your first name and email address in the box below and you will be sent the steps to download your FREE book.

You've just been sent an email that contains a confirmation link. Check your SPAM/JUNK folder if you don't see it within a couple of minutes. In order to activate to receive your free booklet, click on the CONFIRM link and you will be sent a second email with the booklet. It may also be in your SPAM folder.

I see clients in my Northbrook office or for your convenience, via telephone or internet sessions

If you have any questions about how to reduce anxiety

please phone me at 847 791-7722 or

email me below

    Dr. Allen's professional license only allows her to work with clients who live in IL & FL and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients.

     

     

     

    Filed Under: Anxiety Tagged With: counseling, Dr. Sarah Allen, Northbrook anxiety treatment

    Anxiety

  • Download This Free Booklet

    SIMPLE STEPS TO OVERCOME ANXIETY & WORRYING EBOOK

  • Please Enter Your Email To Download This Booklet

    You've just been sent an email that contains a confirmation link. Check your SPAM/JUNK folder if you don't see it within a couple of minutes. In order to activate to receive your free booklet, click on the CONFIRM link and you will be sent a second email with the booklet. It may also be in your SPAM folder.

  • Testimonials

    When I need to refer any of my patients for talk therapy I immediately think of Dr. Allen as she is wonderful at helping people with severe and complex issues really get to the root of their problems. She is very caring and knowledgeable and I have found her extensive experience really helps people to change their lives for the better.

    Dr. Teresa PoprawskiPsychiatrist, First Chicago Neuroscience Clinic

    Last year I was so crippled by anxiety and panic attacks and I didn’t believe that anything or anyone would be able to help me. Since seeing you my life has changed forever and I am finally turning into the person that I always wanted to be…and the person I never thought I could be. You will be the person I call if I start to feel that way again.

    Wendy T.

    I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t a worrier and when my doctor suggested therapy instead of an antidepressant I didn’t think it could really help. I was totally wrong. I don’t spend so much time worrying about the “what ifs” now and concentrate on working on things that are in my control to change in the “here and now” rather than in the past or future. I spend much less time in my head worrying about everything and now have useful strategies to deal with many situations at home and at work. Life is much less stressful and I find myself teaching people I manage at work the strategies Dr. Allen taught me.

    Mark B.

    When I started seeing Dr. Allen for therapy I felt so overwhelmed and trapped in daily battles with my three children. Thank you so much for all your help. It has really helped me gain a better perspective. I am now a role model for my children and help them worry less about things by teaching them the tools you taught me.

    Margaret R.

    When I started seeing you for therapy I felt so overwhelmed and trapped in daily battles with my three children. Thank you so much for all your help. It has really helped me gain a better perspective. I am now a role model for my children and help them worry less about things by teaching them the tools you taught me.

    Margaret R.
  • Recent Posts

    • 6 Ways To Reduce Stress and Stop Worrying!
    • Oprah Magazine Interview About Stress Management
    • Remote Therapy Appointments Available
    • 5 Best Anxiety Treatment Blog Posts
    • 7 Simple Grounding Techniques For Calming Down Quickly
    • Woman’s World Magazine America’s Ultimate Experts Article
    • Is Overthinking Making You Anxious?
    • Beach Waves Mini Meditation Helps Reduce Stress
    • Need A Simple Way To Keep Calm?
    • Sleep – Why It’s Important & How To Get It!
  • Footer

    As featured in...

    sponsors
    Contact SarahDr. Sarah Allen
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS
    • YoutubeYoutube
    • Linkedin
    • Instagram

    COPYRIGHT © 2018 DR. SARAH ALLEN INC. 3400 DUNDEE ROAD, SUITE 245, NORTHBROOK, IL 60062 . TEL: (847) 791-7722 . FAX: (847) 562-9352 | FEES & INSURANCE | FORMS

    SERVING NORTHBROOK & CHICAGO NORTHSHORE COMMUNITIES INCL. ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, BUFFALO GROVE, DEERFIELD, DES PLAINES, EVANSTON, GLENCOE, GLENVIEW, HIGHLAND PARK, LAKE FOREST, LINCOLNSHIRE, MORTON GROVE, NORTHFIELD, RIVERWOODS, SKOKIE, VERNON HILLS, WHEELING, WILMETTE AND WINNETKA.