Are COVID-19 and the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 making your worries worse?

If you have been a worrier for quite some time already, perhaps you have noticed that the content of your worries have shifted from the "every day" worries to be instead focused on issues related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. If you didn't used to worry much in the time before COVID-19, it could be that you are now finding yourself a worrier.

What topics could COVID-19 worries focus on?

Regardless of your worries being longstanding or having started more recently, you are spending time worrying about possible future disasters related to COVID-19. Some examples of COVID-19 related worries could be you or your loved one being infected with the virus, developing the related disease COVID-19, having to work from home, becoming or being unemployed, financial outlooks, kids getting through the school year, not seeing family and friends, important events not being able to take place, financial outlooks, deaths, and affairs locally, in your state, in the country, or more globally. Your newer COVID-19 worries may be related in some ways to worries you had on your mind before. Yet if you find yourself spending much of your time worrying, you may be living with an anxiety disorder, like Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder and how are worries related?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, also known as GAD in its abbreviated form, is characterized by worries about "everyday" things like work, school, finances, family and friends, health, and world events. For example, you may find yourself worrying about all the work you have to do for school or in your occupation, or if the work you are doing will be good enough. Perhaps your worries are focused on what your income will be like down the road or whether you are making enough money for your current or future expenses. Or are your worries about how your friends or family members are doing health-wise, financially, in school, at work, or your relationship with them? Worries can also be about events happening locally, around the nation, or across the world. Some people worry about holding themselves to high standards and find that their worries about being perfect have a negative impact on completing their work, school or college assignments, or daily tasks on time.

How can Generalized Anxiety Disorder affect me?

When people are suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, their worries, regardless of their topic, are excessive and difficult to control as they take up significant time from other activities. People suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder often experience physical symptoms that can include difficulty concentrating, aches (headaches, stomachaches, muscle aches) or nausea, sleep problems including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, tiredness or fatigue, restlessness, or irritability. Someone living with Generalized Anxiety Disorder may also have another anxiety disorder or mood disorder.