Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)


Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is much more than the normal anxiety
people experience day to day. It's chronic and exaggerated worry and
tension, even though nothing seems to provoke it. Having this disorder
means always anticipating disaster, often worrying excessively about
health, money, family, or work. Sometimes, though, the source of the worry
is hard to pinpoint. Simply the thought of getting through the day provokes
anxiety.

People with GAD can't seem to shake their concerns, even though they
usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation
warrants. People with GAD also seem unable to relax. They often have
trouble falling or staying asleep.

Their worries are accompanied by physical symptoms, especially
trembling, twitching, muscle tension, headaches, irritability, sweating, or hot
flashes. They may feel lightheaded or out of breath. They may feel
nauseated or have to go to the bathroom frequently. Or they might feel as
though they have a lump in the throat. Many individuals with GAD startle
more easily than other people. They tend to feel tired, have trouble
concentrating, and sometimes suffer depression, too.

Usually the impairment associated with GAD is mild and people with the
disorder don't feel too restricted in social settings or on the job. Unlike
many other anxiety disorders, people with GAD don't characteristically
avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder.

However, if severe, GAD can be very debilitating, making it difficult to
carry out even the most ordinary daily activities. GAD comes on gradually
and most often hits people in childhood or adolescence, but can begin in
adulthood, too. It's more common in women than in men and often occurs in
relatives of affected persons. It's diagnosed when someone spends at least
6 months worried excessively about a number of everyday problems. In
general, the symptoms of GAD seem to diminish with age.

Treatment

In general, the symptoms of GAD seem to diminish with age. Research into
the effectiveness of other medications, such as benzodiazepines and
antidepressants, is ongoing. Also useful are cognitive-behavioral therapy,
relaxation techniques, and biofeedback to control muscle tension.

(Source: NIMH, National Institute for Mental Health).