Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatments
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It’s normal to feel stressed out now and then, especially over common worries like one’s job or marriage. But if you're experiencing anxiety on a regular basis and for little or no reason, you may have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a chronic illness that can cause significant distress in everyday circumstances.
GAD can be treated through various methods, including one-on-one therapy, support groups, and healthy lifestyle changes. In this article, we'll review the causes of GAD, common symptoms of GAD, and treatment options for those who may be experiencing signs and symptoms that interfere with daily life.
About anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are prevalent mental health conditions that significantly impact daily life, encompassing various mental disorders such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder. To manage these conditions, support groups and discussions on health topics can be helpful, providing ongoing support and improving the overall mental well-being of those affected.
What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent, excessive, and unfounded worry that is experienced on more days than not for a period of at least six months. People with GAD may experience persistent signs and symptoms of GAD, including excessive worry and tension, which may benefit from comprehensive health information and intervention from a health professional.
In essence, it entails experiencing a persistent feeling of dread without any discernible cause, persisting even after overcoming specific experiences or actions. This relentless anxiety persists regardless of ongoing activities or apparent resolution of concerns, significantly impeding the completion of daily tasks and potentially detrimentally affecting normal life at home and in the workplace.
One of the most notable aspects of generalized anxiety disorder is that, although the feeling of dread may seem linked to a potentially life-threatening or traumatic event, such as worrying for family members’ safety, it often stems from innocuous or insignificant triggers. Individuals with GAD may abruptly experience inexplicable and persistent anxiety and tension. Instead of finding relief from their anxiety, they enter a cycle of distress and worry, regardless of the initial trigger’s actual significance.
Because of its severity, generalized anxiety disorder is often not something you can tackle on your own. It usually requires professional treatment to overcome or control, so that you can return to a more normal emotional state. Living with GAD without effective coping mechanisms can lead to a greater sense of hopelessness. For this reason, individuals with GAD are at a higher risk of developing comorbid conditions such as depression.
Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms
Generalized anxiety disorder presents differently from person to person. The following lists some common symptoms of anxiety disorders.
Mental health symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Persistent and obsessive worrying
- Feeling restless or on edge
- Worry or dread that is out of proportion with what a situation realistically calls for
- Difficulty concentrating
- Inability to make decisions
- Suicidal thoughts
If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 988 and is available 24/7.
Physical conditions
Physical health conditions can arise as a result of anxiety disorders. Some common symptoms are as follows:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Trembling
- Sweating
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Nausea or other digestive issues
- Unexplained pains in the chest, abdomen, and muscles
- Headaches
If you are dealing with persistent physical symptoms, it's advisable to reach out to your primary healthcare providers. They can conduct a thorough physical exam to determine if there are any underlying physical causes contributing to your symptoms.
Causes of GAD
There is no one universal cause of anxiety disorders. GAD tends to begin gradually, often in childhood or early adolescence. Like many mental health disorders, certain circumstances and risk factors contribute to its formation:
- Genetics. A family history of anxiety can increase the likelihood of developing GAD.
- Personality traits. Personality traits, such as a tendency toward perfectionism, pessimism, or chronic worrying, can also predispose individuals to developing GAD.
- Environmental factors. Exposure to a stressful environment or traumatic experiences can significantly contribute to the development of GAD.
- Biological sex. Females are twice as likely as males to be living with GAD.
- Brain chemistry. Biological processes play a crucial role in the development and manifestation of GAD, influencing neurotransmitter activity and brain structure.
- Age. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 2.2% of adolescents and young adults in the U.S. will experience GAD in their lifetimes.
If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.
The level at which each of these risk factors and causes contribute to generalized anxiety disorder is unclear. However, being aware of them can help diagnose the disorder and determine plans for how to treat it.
GAD tests and self-assessments
If you are experiencing symptoms of chronic, long-term anxiety and believe you could have generalized anxiety disorder, there are questionnaires you can take to help you assess the severity of your anxiety. These tests are not a substitute for a professional diagnosis or treatment plan but can give you the insight you need to take the first steps toward recovery.
These assessments can help you put your feelings and experiences into quantifiable statements that can start a dialogue with a professional who can give you the help you need. You can find assessments on the ADAA website and other online mental health resources to get started on your search for treatment.
Treatment for GAD
While treatment recommendations vary based on each individual’s needs, GAD is generally treated through a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes to effectively manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. Under professional guidance, these methods can be used separately or together to create a personalized treatment plan that offers the best chance of successfully managing anxiety. In cases where one approach proves ineffective, they can tailor replacement treatment recommendations.
Psychological treatment is perhaps the most widely used treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, as working one-on-one in talk therapy with a licensed professional is often the most effective treatment. It can include a variety of psychological techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and a purposeful exposure to whatever the source of anxiety is. This means that the therapist works with the patient to help them face what they are anxious about in a controlled environment and attempt to transform anxious thoughts into positive ones. Some mental health professionals can also prescribe medication, such as common anti-anxiety medications, to reduce anxiety symptoms.
Online therapy
It can be difficult for individuals with GAD to participate in in-person counseling, especially at first. Studies have found that online CBT counseling for anxiety is generally just as effective as in-person therapy.
Online counseling through platforms like BetterHelp can also remove some common stressors of face-to-face counseling. Patients can partake in video chats, phone calls, or in-app messaging from the comfort of their home — or anywhere they have an internet connection.
Relaxation or meditation
Often used in conjunction with psychological treatment, relaxation techniques, such as rhythmic breathing or positive visualization, supplement professional treatment sessions. They are designed to be used anytime someone with chronic anxiety needs them and are meant to help them manage the anxiety more positively and constructively. These relaxation techniques can help ease any excessive worry you are feeling, as well as help with muscle aches or other physical symptoms that you may have.
Self-help
Like relaxation and meditation, self-help can be a great supporting tool in a larger treatment program.
Interpersonal support
An essential aspect of treating this disorder involves garnering support from the loved ones of the diagnosed individual, particularly in navigating potential family problems that may exacerbate the condition.
Lifestyle changes
Perhaps you have been pushing yourself too hard due to a new or demanding job. Or maybe you stay up late into the night. Try taking it a bit easier for at least a few weeks while you get your anxiety under control.
Takeaway
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms include sleep troubles, muscle tension, shaking, sweating, headaches, irritation, lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, nausea, and having trouble relaxing, among other symptoms.
Several things can contribute to developing GAD. Going through a traumatic or stressful event, experiencing a physical illness, or experiencing hormonal changes are just a few examples of situations that may worsen anxiety or trigger GAD.
Most people have occasional anxiety; this is normal and does not necessarily indicate the presence of psychiatric disorders. People with GAD feel extremely worried over what others may consider small things, and this worry can interfere with daily functioning in minor to severe ways.
People with high-functioning anxiety may experience the physical and mental symptoms of the disorder but continue to maintain their social, professional, and personal lives.
Generalized anxiety disorder is very treatable. Many people experience rapidly decreasing anxiety once they start taking anti-anxiety medication, which can be prescribed by their doctor or psychiatrist. Others find improvement in symptoms by working with a therapist or counselor. Some stress-management techniques, like meditation and yoga, can also be useful in calming GAD. Additionally, it’s important to treat depression or any other psychiatric conditions that may be contributing to anxiety symptoms.
Is GAD a mental health disorder?
General anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that affects approximately 30% of American adults at some point in their lives, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Treating mild and severe forms of anxiety is very possible with medication, therapy, and other interventions.
What is the best medication for GAD?
The medications commonly used to treat GAD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Some people may also opt for anti-anxiety sedative medications like lorazepam and alprazolam.
What does GAD look like in a person?
Someone with GAD may appear completely normal. Others may exhibit physical signs of GAD, such as sweating, shaking, and fidgeting.
After ruling out any potential health issues with the brain and biological processes that may be causing anxiety, your doctor or mental health professional may utilize the GAD-7, which is a screening tool that asks several questions to help diagnose anxiety.
What is commonly mistaken for GAD?
Medical conditions and psychiatric disorders are sometimes mistaken for anxiety. These conditions include heart problems, hyperthyroidism, adrenal dysfunction, and some neurological conditions.
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