Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), is described as persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worries about everyday situations that individuals find difficult to control. Individuals with GAD constantly worry about money, health, family, work, and other issues and typically feel restless, on edge, “wound up,” irritable, and easily frustrated. They also experience muscle tension, sleep disturbance (trouble falling or staying asleep, or unsatisfying sleep), become easily fatigued, and have difficulty concentrating, often finding that their mind often “goes blank.”

GAD is extremely common, with women being twice as likely as compared to men to suffer from this problem. Many individuals with GAD have other problems, such as depression, irritable bowel syndrome, or relationship difficulties. There are many factors that may cause GAD. Between 30% and 50% of the cause may be genetic, but early childhood experiences, recent stresses in life, unrealistic expectations about oneself and others, relationship conflicts, alcohol or caffeine use, poor coping skills, and other factors all contribute to the experience of anxiety.