What Is Generalised Anxiety Disorder And How Does EFT Help?

EFT Tapping For Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Your uncontrollable worry may be a sign of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Keep reading to find out what GAD is, its symptoms, causes, self-management, and how you can overcome GAD with the help of a clinically proven treatment—EFT Tapping.

Jenny, a client of mine, had a difficult past. She was always worrying and panicking about every decision she had to make—big or small didn’t matter.

Even the smallest of things that most people would not overthink got her all flustered and anxious, just about every day.

She was constantly worrying and its impact went beyond her mind, it had begun to affect her body. This issue escalated to a point where she was unable to get through a single day without an anxiety attack.

It was starting to affect her personal as well as professional life, and her anxiety had reached a level so high that she was scared to even leave her bed!

Now, being adults, we have so many responsibilities and so many things going on that we cannot afford to have anxiety, right?

Because the moment it starts taking a toll on us, we fall behind on our tasks and schedules, which makes everything worse. It's like a never-ending loop that just leaves us exhausted.

Jenny went through a terrifying time in her life. She was aware that she was behaving strangely. She was always concerned about doing things perfectly and that led her to not being able to finish any task on time.

She didn't realise it at the time, but she had Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

It didn't come as a surprise to her when she got diagnosed with GAD. To her, it just felt like she could finally put a name to this weird phase that she was going through.

But she still had no clue how to help that behaviour.

While researching about how to relieve her anxiety, Jenny came across EFT tapping. She found the method interesting and decided to take EFT training and to her surprise, she saw the effects of GAD subside.

WHAT IS Generalised anxiety disorder (gad)?

Everyone experiences worry from time to time, but if your worries and fears become so frequent that they interfere with your ability to function and relax, you may be suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

GAD is characterised by excessive, persistent anxiety and worry about everyday situations which have no obvious reasons for worry. It involves constant and chronic worrying, nervousness, and tension.

Sometimes, people with this disorder can't pinpoint what exactly causes their anxiety They just have feelings of paranoia where something bad is going to happen to them, or they are just unable to calm down (1).

People with symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder tend to always expect disaster and can't stop worrying about health, money, family, work, or school, even though they are aware that there is no reason to worry about all of this.

There's a thin line between normal anxiety and GAD. Since this type of anxiety is quite common, EFT Tapping for GAD is very effective. In this technique, our body releases fewer stress hormones, thereby making the individual feel better and calm.

Unlike a phobia, where your fear is linked to a specific object or situation, anxiety of GAD is diffused, resulting in a general sense of dread or unease that pervades your entire life.

This anxiety is less intense than a panic attack, but it lasts much longer, making it difficult to function normally, and relaxing, impossible.

Generalized anxiety disorder drains both the mind and the body. It reduces your vitality, disrupts your sleep, and exhausts your body.

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SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Although not everyone with Generalised Anxiety Disorder will experience the same symptoms, the majority of persons with the illness have a mix of emotional, behavioural, and physical symptoms that fluctuate and worsen with stress.

Emotional symptoms of GAD can include:

Worries always racing through your mind
Feeling as though your anxiety is out of control and there's nothing you can do to stop it
Always thinking of worst case scenarios
Having intrusive thoughts about things that make you nervous. You try not to think about them, but you can't help yourself
Being unable to stand uncertainty. You have to know what's going to happen next
A continuous sense of dread or apprehension

Behavioural symptoms of GAD can include:

Inability to relax, calm, enjoy silence, or be by yourself
Having trouble concentrating or focusing on what you're doing, the sensation that your mind "goes blank"
Putting things off because you're stressed
Keeping yourself away from events that make you nervous and anxious
Worrying out of proportion to the event's impact

Physical symptoms of GAD can include:

Having muscle tension or body aches, feeling tense
Being easily startled
Irritable bowel syndrome
Having difficulty sleeping or staying asleep because your mind won't shut up
Feeling jittery, restless, or jumpy,
Trembling
Stomach problems, nausea, diarrhoea
Sweating
Numbness or tingling in the body
Elevated heart rate
Nausea
Feeling weak or tired
Memory issues

Symptoms of GAD in children:

In children, excessive worrying revolves around future and past events, being accepted by peers, family affairs, personal abilities, and school performance.

Unlike adults with GAD, children and teens often don’t realize that their anxiety is disproportionate to the situation, so adults need to recognize their symptoms.

There are many symptoms of adult GAD that are present in children, however, there are some additional signs you should look out for:

Fears about "what if" scenarios that may occur in the future
Perfectionism, intense self-criticism, and the fear of making mistakes are all symptoms of perfectionism
They believe that it is their fault if anything bad happens and that their anxiety will prevent it
Lack confidence
Avoid going to school or social situations
Spend excessive time doing homework
The belief that bad luck is contagious and will strike them
Reassurance and approval are required on a regular basis (2)

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is likely caused by a complex mix of biological and environmental factors, as is the case with many mental health conditions.

Here are some factors that may increase the risk of developing generalised anxiety disorder:

Differences in brain chemistry and function
Genetics: It's possible that generalised anxiety disorder runs in families
Differences in the way threats are perceived
Chronic stressful conditions, such as personal or family ailments
Excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco, which might heighten anxiety
Abuse, the death of a loved one, divorce, and changing jobs are all examples of traumatic and stressful situations that can contribute to GAD
Chronic medical conditions or other mental health issues can increase your risk

GAD affects around twice as many women as it does men. Experts advocate routine anxiety screening for women and girls aged 13 and up because anxiety affects women more than males (3).

How To Self-Heal & Become An EFT Practitioner

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DIFFERENTIATING NORMAL WORRY FROM GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER

Worries, doubts, and fears are all part of the human experience. It's understandable to be nervous about an upcoming exam or to be concerned about your finances after receiving unexpected bills.

Some people are diagnosed with GAD as children, while others do not exhibit symptoms until they are adults.

Living with GAD can be difficult in either case. It frequently happens in association with other anxiety or mood disorders.

The following is a quick method to assessing whether you have been suffering from normal worry or anxiety, or generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

The distinction between “normal” worrying and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is explored below:

GAD is more severe than normal anxiety

Although everyone experiences anxiety at times, one of the characteristics of GAD is that the anxiety is usually stronger and long-lasting. If you experience anxiety that is more intense than the majority of individuals you know, it's possible that you're suffering from something different than "normal" anxiety.

Disproportionate reaction to events:

For the most part, people's anxiety levels are proportional to the severity of the circumstance. If there was a tiny anxiety-provoking scenario, for example, the anxiety sensation is usually minor as well.

People who suffer from GAD, on the other hand, are more concerned than the circumstance appears to merit. It could be more than usual anxiety if you get severe bouts of anxiety over "things that shouldn't be a big concern."

Feelings of anxiety and worry permeate all parts of life:

When people have normal anxiety, they are likely to be concerned about things that are related to the anxiety-provoking scenario or a variety of other things that make them scared.

"Worrying about everything all of the time" is a common description of people with GAD. If this sounds like you, it's possible you're dealing with something more serious than ordinary anxiety.

Lack of control over emotions:

The majority of people can calm themselves and regulate their anxiety using a range of coping skills. People use different coping methods to calm themselves like taking a hot water bath or going on a walk.

But people with GAD have a hard time finding relaxation, serenity, and time away from their anxieties. If you have more trouble controlling your anxiety than other individuals you know, it could be something more serious.

“My anxiety doesn't come from thinking about the future but from wanting to control it.”

- Hugh prather

How to Cope With GAD?

There's no way to know for sure what causes someone to acquire generalised anxiety disorder, but you can take steps to reduce the impact of symptoms if you experience anxiety:

Keep a diary: Keeping track of events in your personal life might help you and your therapist figure out what causes you stress and what makes you feel better.
Make a list of the issues that need to be addressed in your life. This will give you a better perspective on your problems and where you need to focus to improve your life.
Use of harmful substances should be avoided. Anxiety can be caused or worsened by the use of alcohol, drugs, or even nicotine or caffeine. Quitting any of these substances can be stressful if you're addicted to them. If you're having trouble quitting on your own, consult your doctor or seek help from a therapy program or support group.
Get aid as soon as possible. Anxiety makes it difficult for the person suffering from it to seek help from others, so a disorder like GAD should be taken into consideration with extra care.

People who suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are frequently alone and misunderstood.

People may not realise that telling an anxious person to "take it easy" or "let it go" won't help them at all, and may even discourage them from seeking treatment.

Learn how to communicate your feelings to your loved ones.

We at Vitality Living have helped several experienced psychologists and counselling professionals become Certified EFT Practitioners in accordance with the International Standards.

EFT training can be immensely helpful in relieving symptoms of anxiety and reducing worry. EFT has proven to be effective in treating other disorders such as PTSD, phobias, and depression as well.

If you are interested in learning more about how EFT can help your clients or if you’d like to step into the EFT world yourself, register your FREE spot for the EFT Masterclass here.

If you or someone you know someone is suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder, you may also take up EFT training to become a certified EFT practitioner.

Learn more about our program here.

EFT is an alternative, modern technique that helps a person calm down when they go through GAD. So if you wish for some remedy that soothes you during such circumstances, you'll benefit greatly from the EFT Tapping Technique.

If you would like to experience the power of EFT Tapping first hand, just download the EFT Tapping Booklet below.

New to EFT? Learn how Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping heals, including Anxiety.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping) is clinically proven to lower stress, tension, anxiety, past-trauma to enable health, happiness and vitality.

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With the help of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), people can work on their GAD and anxiety issues, their worries and fears, and any other mental illness, and can consistently feel calm and peaceful.

EFT is a method that offers healing from physical and emotional pain. EFT Tapping technique helps you to quickly get a relief from all the stress and anxiety that overwhelms yo.

EFT TAPPING FOR GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER

EFT Tapping for GAD is an alternative therapeutic method and is also clinically proven. It happens to be a quick relieving technique that helps you get rid of this unpleasant feeling.

For the physical symptoms, for example, pipe tiredness and muscle tension, use the classical physical tension process to reduce these sensations.

1. To get started, begin by investigating the physical nature of the anxiety.

Connect with the anxiety and notice where do you feel it in the body. Briefly, you can begin by asking the following questions to explore further:

Where in the body do you experience the anxiety?
What is the colour, texture, size, shape of the anxiety in the body?
What are the sensations like?

Anxiety can sometimes be felt in a specific location like the heart and/or chest. The symptoms can involve heart racing, general restlessness, shaking legs and hands.

The important thing is to use your specific words to describe the anxiety.

2. Then measure the level of anxiety by asking:

"What number is the anxiety at, where 10 is really high and 1 is not high at all." Just go with whatever comes up spontaneously, without thinking too much about it.

3. Begin by Tapping on the Karate Chop or Side of the Hand EFT Tapping Points:

Even though I feel anxious and I feel it in my chest and it's at a number 6 and it's red in colour and it feels rough, I deeply and completely love and accept myself (Repeat 3 times).

4. Then tap on the facial and upper body EFT Tapping Points for Anxiety using the phrases:

Eyebrow: This anxiety...
Side of the eye: So anxious...
Under the eye: Anxious in my chest...
Under the nose: It's a red colour...
Chin: At a number 6...
Collarbone: So rough...
Under the arm: This anxiety...
Thumb: I feel it in my chest...
Index Finger: So anxious...
Middle Finger: Really anxious...
Little Finger: The colour red...

5. Close the sequence by coming back the EFT Karate Chop Tapping Points and repeat once:

Even though I feel anxious and I feel it in my chest and it's at a number 6 and it's red in colour and it feels rough, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.

6. Relax: Take a gentle breath in and out and take a sip of water.

7. Evaluate:

At the end of the EFT Tapping for Anxiety Relief Process, you can ask yourself the following questions:

What number is the anxiety at now?
What happened?
How does it make you feel?

You can repeat this process by going back to Step 1 if you feel like the number could come down a little more.

Explore the root cause of the worry and anxiety by exploring memories.

These types of memories can trigger Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), where the anxiety is a surface symptom of a deeper root cause.

When working with any form of trauma it is better to use the gentler methods of trauma release taught during Inner Child Matrix Training or during EFT Practitioner Training in the form of Tearless Trauma.

If limiting thoughts come up clear them with the limiting beliefs protocol.

Limiting beliefs are thoughts that limit health, relationships, wealth, career or finances. These thoughts can be conscious or unconscious and can end up becoming responsible for self-sabotage, procrastination and low self-esteem, in an individual.

With anxiety, first, uncover the limiting beliefs which can either be at the surface level or associated with the deeper root memories, then shift them from stressful to empowering. For example,

“Something bad is going to happen” to “Everything is going to be OK"
"It's not safe" to "I am safe now"

Download a worksheet that will help you identify and overcome limiting beliefs here

Close the session with positive tapping and affirmations. It is best to first ask your client. Some examples include:

"I feel safe now"
"All is well"
"I choose to be calm"
"I choose to breathe"

Jin Shin Jyutsu:

Hold the thumb to calm the body and mind and release any residual anxiety. You can also use the Jin Shin Jyutsu finger hold process to gain relief from anxiety.

According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, Generalised Anxiety Disorders affect almost 6.8 million adults in the US; yet, only 43.2% of them actually receive treatment. When its statistics and demographics were discussed, it was found that the GAD was the most common cause of workplace disability in the US (4).

Anybody suffering from anxiety is no less than a fighter.

A person can feel anxious due to several reasons and with EFT Tapping you can uncover and clear the root cause.

It is clinically proven that EFT Tapping for GAD not only lowers the feeling, but also restores a sense of balance and calmness in our minds.

You can also embark on a program that includes Yoga, Meditation & CBT Therapy. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is best to ask for help.

Love,

Dr Rangana Rupavi Choudhuri (PhD)

P.S. Want to discover if EFT is right for you? Book a Complimentary Discovery Call.

How To Self-Heal & Become An EFT Practitioner

BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL

In summary, anxiety can be really exhausting and distressing, but you can always overcome it by breaking down your tasks into small steps, practicing yoga and/or meditation or even using a clinically proven method. EFT Tapping for Generalised Anxiety Disorder is a proven method that will allow you to get rid of the distressing thoughts that you are going through. However, you don't need to rush the process. Take your time and do what you feel is right for you, as and when you feel comfortable.

References:

Disclaimer: The information on this website is purely for educational purposes and does not in any way replace the requirement for medical and psychological diagnosis and treatment. Please seek professional medical and psychological diagnosis and advice for all medical and mental health conditions. It is advised to always book any consultations with qualified professionals.

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