Generalized Anxiety Disorder 

Do you often find yourself worrying about everyday issues for no obvious reason? Are you always waiting for disaster to strike or excessively worried about things such as health, money, family, work, or school? 

If so, you may have a type of anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD can make daily life feel like a constant state of worry, fear, and dread. If you have Generalized Anxiety Disorder you will experience chronic, excessive, and uncontrollable worry. You may also be on edge, easily fatigued, have difficulty concentrating, feel irritable, experience muscle tension, and have problems sleeping. 

 The good news is GAD is treatable.  

GAD is one of the most common anxiety disorders. Canadian data suggests that one out of every 12 individuals will suffer from GAD at some time in their life. It can be mild, or it can contribute to unemployment and serious family and social problems. 

What are the signs and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder? 

People with GAD may: 

Symptoms may fluctuate over time and are often worse during times of stress—for example—with a physical illness, during school exams, or during a family or relationship conflict. 

• Worry excessively about everyday things 

• Have trouble controlling their worries or feelings of nervousness 

• Know that they worry much more than they should 

• Feel restless and have trouble relaxing 

• Have a hard time concentrating 

• Startle easily 

• Have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep 

• Tire easily or feel tired all the time 

• Have headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or unexplained pains 

• Have a hard time swallowing 

• Tremble or twitch 

• Feel irritable or “on edge” 

• Sweat a lot, feel lightheaded, or feel out of breath 

• Have to go to the bathroom frequently 

Risk for GAD can run in families. Several parts of the brain and biological processes play a key role in fear and anxiety. By learning more about how the brain and body function in people with anxiety disorders, researchers may be able to develop better treatments. Researchers have also found that external causes, such as experiencing a traumatic event or being in a stressful environment, may put you at higher risk for developing GAD. 

How is generalized anxiety disorder treated? 

If you think you’re experiencing symptoms of GAD, talk to a health care provider. After discussing your history, a health care provider may conduct a physical exam to ensure that an unrelated physical problem is not causing your symptoms. A health care provider may refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker.

The first step to effective treatment is to get a diagnosis, usually from a mental health professional. GAD is generally treated with psychotherapy (sometimes called “talk therapy”), medication, or both. Speak with a health care provider about the best treatment for you.  

[Source: www.nimh.nih.gov] 

Learn more about GAD and how to find help by visiting www.anxietycanada.ca