Chronic Anxiety Disorder
or Generalized Anxiety Disorder

(Symptoms can also include nausea, gagging, vomiting, and chronic stomach aches.)

I think this is pretty accurate, and perhaps comes closest to describing the burden I've personally had to bear for years. And for sure, I'm not the only one. Again, according to Wikipedia, this problem is amazingly common: approximately 3.1% of Americans age 18 and over are diagnosed with it each year. Canada and some other Western and European countries have similar findings (while interestingly, Taiwan came in it 0.4%).

Now, consider that of those diagnosed with GAD each year, many - if not most - continue to suffer from it after giving up on medical treatment or not following up on it, and you have an astounding number of adults living with it!

What Causes Chronic Anxiety Disorder?

GAD is a condition that results from a person's inability to handle stress, basically. At some point in life, his or her stress may reach a point where the adrenaline level overflows and it becomes a case of anxiety disorder. There may or may not be a panic attack involved and it might or might not exhibit itself as severe anxiety disorder at that time. But either way, it becomes a chronic condition.

Research has shown there's a high likelihood that the tendency toward this sequence of events is genetic. And this is definitely my experience: my mother had some problems she hid and they only came out when driving a car - she hated driving and was visibly nervous when doing it and I wondered why. Also, both of my siblings are on medications for anxiety and depression.

Should I Take Meds for GAD?

The answer to that question is a personal choice, but in this corner, it's a resounding NO! I know, you're saying your doctor knows more than I do, but in some ways, you're probably wrong about that. That is, unless your doctor is a recovering anxiety sufferer. You see, most doctors and medical practitioners see anxiety disorders as a medical issue, to be treated with drugs. It's NOT a medical issue at all, it's a psychological condition caused by a trained response - a response you unwittingly and unwillingly taught your brain.

So What's The Best Remedy For Chronic Anxiety?

Let's start with common sense here. If your stress levels are raised to the breaking point by particular stressors, like money problems, relationship issues or job-related irritants, look at possible remedies for those life issues. Take away the stress that's boiling over and perhaps the condition will subside.

If dealing with your issues one-on-one doesn't take away the anxiety the next step would be Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT. CBT involves learning to understand how behavior is influenced by thoughts and feelings. The goal is to install more positive (and realistic) thought patterns to replace the negative ones that tend to lead to anxiety. 

This therapy includes strategies to allow you to gradually challenge or confront your anxieties and feel more comfortable in situations that would normally provoke your anxiety. Then to practice your newfound skills.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is usually done with a therapist but that's not necessary; there's a program called EasyCalm that takes you through numerous CBT steps, in the privacy of your own home, at a fraction of the cost of using the services of a therapist who specializes in this type of treatment. EasyCalm is a series of guided lessons on video - much easier and quicker than having to read a book.