With Generalized anxiety disorder you can worry excessively about minor issues.


People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) go through the day filled being constantly worried and tense, even though there is little or nothing to provoke it.

1.For generalized anxiety disorder sufferers, the frequency, intensity, and duration of the worry are disproportionate to the actual source of worry.

2.Often the worry interferes with daily functioning.

3.GAD sufferers anticipate disaster and are overly concerned about health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work.

4.Generalized anxiety disorder sufferers can also worry over more minor matters such as deadlines for appointments, keeping the house clean, and whether or not their workspace is properly organized.

5.Sometimes even the thought of getting through the day produces anxiety.

GAD is diagnosed when a person worries excessively about a variety of everyday problems for at least 6 months.(1)

People with GAD can't seem to get rid of their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants.

Symptoms:

1. Cannot relax

2.Startle easily

3.Have difficulty concentrating

4.Often have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

Physical symptoms that often accompany the anxiety include:
When their anxiety level is mild, people with Generalized anxiety disorder can function socially and hold down a job.

Although they don't avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder, people with GAD can have difficulty carrying out the simplest daily activities if their anxiety is severe.

Generalized anxiety disorder affects about 6.8 million adult Americans (2) and about twice as many women as men.(3)

GAD differs from other anxiety disorders in the sense that there is no clear stimulus that elicits anxiety or was associated with how it began.

It also lacks the clear avoidance and escape behaviors of phobias and unlike panic attacks associated with most disorders, GAD stays fairly moderate in its anxiety levels (Deffenbacher and Suinn, 1987, pg 332)

References:
1. Kendler KS, Neale MC, Kessler RC, et al. Generalized anxiety disorder in women. A population-based twin study. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1992; 49(4): 267-72.

2. Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry, 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27.

3. Robins LN, Regier DA, eds. Psychiatric disorders in America: the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. New York: The Free Press, 1991.

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