Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Explained.

I, Shubhangi Halande, have consistently been a dependable daughter, a successful professional, and a dependable friend. But beneath the surface, she was struggling with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, and there was a quiet fight going on within her.

It started with restless evenings spent going over uncomfortable exchanges from years ago. Then there were the mornings when her heart raced before she even got out of bed.

“I thought I was just stressed out about work,” she says, holding her coffee cup with both hands. “But then I began to get panic attacks when shopping. That was when I realized something was really wrong.

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The Many Faces of Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

That creep in GAD doesn’t show itself by having big breakdowns. It creeps into your existence and wraps around your thoughts until you forget what calm feels like.

For Shubhangi, the creep manifested in ways she never anticipated:

1. The Worry Machine That Never Stops

Her mind was stuck on a loop of terrible thoughts: “What if I get laid off for that little mistake last week?”

•  “My mom didn’t pick up the phone; she must be in the hospital!”
• “I definitely have a terminal illness that we haven’t diagnosed.”

Her concern outweighed any logic.

2. Body Betrayal: Physical Symptoms That Scared Her

The worry wasn’t only in her brain; it showed up in her body.

– Heart palpitations that sent her to the ER three times before she realized they were panic attacks

– Chronic stomach pain that no antacid could fix

– Trembling hands that made her avoid holding documents in meetings

– Constant muscle tension that left her shoulders in permanent knots “What’s the worst part?”

“I kept Googling symptoms and telling myself I was dying of some rare disease,” Shubhangi recalls.

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3. The Tiredness of Being Hypervigilant

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Her brain was continually looking for hazards; therefore, everyday chores became tiring: she’d read emails over and over again before sending them.

– She’d become mentally fatigued from thinking about every contact at social events.

– Even simple choices like what to eat for lunch were too much for her.

“I’d cry in the shower when I got home from work,” she says. “Not because anything bad happened, but because life was so damn hard.”

The Turning Point: When Hitting Bottom Becomes a Gift

The pivotal moment occurred during a presentation for a significant client. In the middle of a sentence, her vision narrowed, her chest tightened, and she forgot how to breathe.

She ran out of the room and fell down the stairs, sure she was suffering a heart attack. That embarrassing event woke her up.

“I knew I couldn’t keep living like this,” Shubhangi explains. “I was getting by, not living.”

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Shubhangi’s Path to Recovery: Rewiring Her Brain

1. The freedom of diagnosis

Shubhangi felt strangely better when her therapist declared “Generalized Anxiety Disorder.”

“I now had a term for what was going on with me. It wasn’t just me being weak.

2. CBT: Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Cognitive behavioral therapy taught her how to:

– Find “thought distortions” (such catastrophizing)

– Use facts to fight worried thoughts

– Use grounding methods when you have a panic attack

She says,

“The ‘probability test’ was my favorite.”

“When I thought, ‘I’m definitely going to get fired,’ my therapist made me figure out the real odds based on my performance reviews.”

3. The Healing Power of Self-Care

Little adjustments in your daily life may make a tremendous difference: Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

– Instead of doomscrolling, try yoga before bed.

– Cut down on coffee (which was hard)

– Set aside time to worry.

– 15 minutes a day to worry, then let it go

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4. Finding Her Tribe – Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Being a part of a support group made a big difference. Shubhangi says, “Hearing other people talk about the same symptoms made me feel less crazy.”

“We’d laugh about our silly fears; it took away their power.”

Life After Anxiety: Not Perfect, But Free Two years later, Shubhangi still has days when she’s apprehensive, but they don’t rule her.

She says, “I’ve learned that anxiety is like the weather.” “The storm goes away if I don’t fight it.” What was her proudest moment? I went on vacation by myself last summer.

“Before treatment, I used to think of 50 different ways that things could go wrong. I can now accept the dread without having it stop me.

Is It Possible That You Have GAD?

The Quiet Signs If Shubhangi’s story resonates deeply with you, be vigilant for these signs that others often overlook: Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

✔ Constant “background” anxiety (more days than not for 6+ months)

✔ Physical symptoms with no medical cause (digestive issues, headaches, dizziness)

✔ Avoidance behaviors (putting off tasks because you feel overwhelmed)

✔ Perfectionism that stops you from doing things instead of motivating you

✔ Emotional exhaustion from always overthinking

A Note to Your Nervous Self: Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

“Dear warrior,” Shubhangi writes in her notebook, “I know you’re tired.” I know you’re worried that this will never end. But trust me, the jail door isn’t locked. I’ve been there. You have the key.

“One brave step is to ask for help.”

“Anxiety is a broken alarm system—loud but not dangerous,” her therapist said.

You can learn how to dial down the volume. If you can relate to Shubhangi’s story, remember that the fact that you’re still battling shows how strong you are.

It’s not about never feeling nervous again; it’s about not being terrified of the fear itself.

And that? That’s real freedom.