Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Who gets anxiety?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders, affecting about 3% of U.S. adults each year. Women are about twice as likely as men to experience GAD over their lifetime. It can begin at any age but most often starts in childhood or middle age.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is more than occasional worry or nervousness. Everyone feels anxious sometimes, but GAD is different—it is a persistent, excessive, and uncontrollable worry about everyday things. People with GAD often find it hard to control their anxiety and may expect the worst even when there is no clear reason for concern. Like other medical conditions (such as diabetes or high blood pressure), GAD is a real illness that affects the body, thoughts, and daily functioning.
Anxiety may be caused by many factors, including:
– Stressful or traumatic life events
– Family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions
– Imbalances in brain chemistry and neurotransmitters
– Chronic medical conditions
– Use or withdrawal from substances (caffeine, alcohol, or drugs)
– Personality factors, such as being very shy or highly self-critical
How will I know whether I have GAD?
People with GAD experience excessive worry or anxiety on most days for at least 6 months. The worry is difficult to control and often interferes with daily activities.
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Core symptoms include:
– Excessive anxiety and worry about a variety of events or activities
– Difficulty controlling the worry
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You may also experience at least three of the following symptoms (for adults):
– Feeling restless, keyed up, or on edge
– Becoming easily fatigued
– Difficulty concentrating or having your mind “go blank”
– Irritability
– Muscle tension
– Sleep problems (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep)
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Physical or psychological symptoms often include:
– Headaches or tension headaches
– Stomachaches, nausea, or digestive problems
– Sweating, trembling, or rapid heartbeat
– Difficulty relaxing
– Feeling constantly “on alert”
– Avoiding situations out of fear something bad will happen
How is GAD treated?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is highly treatable with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both.
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Psychotherapy
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and change thought patterns that contribute to anxiety, and teaches coping skills to manage worry.
– Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Focuses on accepting anxious thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them, while committing to positive actions.
– Mindfulness-based therapy: Helps reduce anxiety by teaching present-moment awareness and relaxation strategies.
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Medications
– SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): Commonly prescribed medications such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro.
– SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors): Examples include Effexor XR and Cymbalta.
– Other options include buspirone (Buspar) and, for short-term relief, certain anti-anxiety medications (though these are prescribed with caution due to risk of dependence).
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Treatment timeline
Improvements with medication may take several weeks to appear, with early changes often seen in sleep, physical symptoms, or energy before worry itself decreases. If one medication is not effective after 6–8 weeks, a doctor may recommend trying another. Psychotherapy often requires consistent sessions over several months but provides lasting skills for managing anxiety.