Living with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) : a phenomenological account of mental health and healthcare professionals’ experiences

Abstract

This study offers a qualitative, phenomenological and holistic exploration of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) on mental health and healthcare professionals’ lives. The following research questions were addressed: (1) What is the lived experience of mental health and healthcare professionals who suffer from GAD? (2) How does GAD affect their quality of life? (3) How do mental health and healthcare professionals cope in the attempt to achieve a work-life balance? Semi-structured interviews with 6 participants were conducted. Through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) 5 Superordinate and their subsequent subordinate themes emerged: (1) How it all Began (2) Identifying and Managing Stressful Triggers (3) GAD as All-Encompassing (4) Finding Ways of Coping (5) Reaching out for Support. Findings conclude that not only does GAD cause persistent and pathological worry, but it also affects every other life domain including physical health, interpersonal relationships and work. This causes life dissatisfaction and decreases quality of life. This study promotes GAD awareness among mental health and healthcare communities. It also encourages the need for mental health support due to the cyclical effects of occupational stress and GAD. This study also promotes the value of sharing similar challenging health difficulties and the need for further awareness. It also highlights the need to strengthen and make local mental health support services more accessible to mental health or healthcare professional with GAD.