There is probably an unlimited number and combinations of things that people worry about. Problems are just a fact of life that have to be faced and dealt with. Have you ever met anyone who has no problems? Is it possible to be problem free? Rather than trying to avoid problems, it is better to recognize them when they are small, and deal with them before they get worse. Ignoring them or worrying about them is no way to cope with or deal with problems.

Worry: What is worry? Basically, it is simply going over and over a problem. It is endless repetitive thinking about the problem, without developing possible solutions or alternative approaches to the problem. It is a train of repetitious persistent thoughts about what a terrible consequence or event may happen. The thinking maintains the anxiety, fear, depression, or other negative emotion that can be disruptive to daily life and/or sleep. Keep in mind that the source of the worry may be real, but frequently it is about something that may or may not ever happen. Imagining possible scenarios can trigger as much worry as an actual situation or event. Worry can open the door to the next phase which is anxiety. Worry and anxiety are related but different. Anxiety goes beyond worry and may begin to overestimate the magnitude and consequence of the threat, whether it is real or imagined. The worry may start with something specific, while the anxiety may spread the discomfort to situations that may be similar to the original source of worry, but are different. This increases the number of things that trigger the anxiety. If that continues the problem gets worse.

Worse is what psychologists call a Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). People with this problem will say that they can’t shut their mind off. They can’t control the repetitious thoughts and needless worry about lots of things that can be about their children, spouse, family, health, work or money. It may be about more abstract things like rejection, being judged, being cheated, or being abandoned. As the person becomes more and more preoccupied with those thoughts, he or she may start neglecting things they really can and should do something about. The other things are being neglected because of the preoccupation and focus on whatever the repetitious thinking is about. As more things are neglected, additional problems result, and that triggers even more debilitating anxiety.

The GAD level of anxiety can be quite debilitating. It has been suggested that it can be more disabling than alcohol or street drug use. The impact on daily life can be as bad as some chronic medical conditions. Some research suggests that about 56 percent of people with GAD are severely impaired, and almost 40 percent are on some type of government assistance. Workplace performance may suffer. Sleep problems impair memory and thinking. Suicidal thinking, and even attempted suicides, may occur.

People with GAD are what psychologists call being more emotionally reactive, or even remotionally hyperactive, than other people. This is quite the opposite of depressed people. GAD feelings can be quite intense, with a limited ability to control the emotions when faced with a real or imagined threat. It has been suggested that, without actually meaning to, people with GAD may prefer to worry for a long time so they can be prepared for the worst possible anticipated outcome. It can be an emotionally dysfunctional way of limiting emotional intensity and preventing maximal discomfort. Unfortunately, the worry either triggers or maintains the very feelings that he or she would like to avoid.

People may develop GAD when their life has involved bad situations and events that they never expected. The sudden death of a loved one, being hurt or abused, loss of a job or income, etc. can really change how a person looks at life and the world. When they realize how unpredictable life can be, expectations and their sense of security can be modified. Even one unexpected negative event can cause a person to be continuously vigilant and need to be prepared for the next unpredictable event. A common situation is when a significant other person suddenly abandons you. It may then be difficult to trust or even develop future relationships

The impact of worry, anxiety, and GAD can last a long time. The impact can affect your social life, your marriage, your work, your health, and lots of other things. Life is too short to live like that. Life is a gift to be useful and enjoyed. It can be helpful to recognize when the way we think may be a self-defeating pattern that needs to change. If you are unable to pull yourself out of a vicious cycle, look for and ask for help.