Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder is marked by constantly present ‘free – floating’ anxiety. Its intensity varies, increases or decreases without any visible outer occurrence. Associated symptomatology is rather variable: general inner tension, body shivering, increased sweating, muscular tension, heart palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness. Quite commonly are expressed hypersensitivity to noise, weakened concentrating capacities, feeling lack of the air and consequent fastened and superficial breathing, tinnitus, headache, severe insomnia, unpleasantness and pains in gastric area. Common associated somatic signs are also dryness in mouth, amenorrhea, as well as other menstrual disorders, blurriness of the vision, swallowing difficulties.
Persons who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder often fear that they themselves, or someone closely related to them, in a short time period might get involved in an accident, discover a severe illness or die.