Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The signs and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, can be categorized into different areas, including physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral manifestations. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), individuals with GAD may notice the following signs and symptoms:

Cognitive symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder

1. Experiencing difficulty controlling or stopping worrying thoughts
2. Overthinking or analyzing situations excessively
3. Experiencing catastrophic thinking or always expecting the worst outcome
4. Experiencing intrusive thoughts or irrational fears
5. Having difficulty making decisions or feeling indecisive

Emotional symptoms

1. Experiencing excessive or uncontrollable worry about everyday situations
2. Feeling anxious or on edge without a specific reason
3. Having a sense of impending doom or danger
4. Experiencing difficulty relaxing

Behavioral symptoms

1. Avoiding situations or activities that trigger anxiety
2. Seeking reassurance excessively from others
3. Procrastinating or avoiding responsibilities due to worry
4. Becoming restless or easily startled or agitated
5. Engaging in repetitive or ritualistic behaviors to reduce anxiety
6. Making risk-averse choices or experiencing difficulty tolerating uncertainty

Physical symptoms of anxiety disorder

1. Restlessness or a feeling of being on edge
2. Fatigue or a tendency to easily become tired
3. Muscle tension or soreness
4. A sensation of the mind going blank or difficulty concentrating
5. Irritability
6. Sleep disturbances, such as having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep or experiencing restless and unsatisfying sleep

Individuals living with generalized anxiety disorder may encounter various difficulties based on the severity of their symptoms. For some individuals with this disorder, maintaining employment, relationships, and other crucial aspects of daily life may become complicated.

The exact causes of generalized anxiety disorder are not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of biological, genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. 

Common causes and risk factors of generalized anxiety disorder

Common causes and risk factors include:

• Family history of anxiety disorders or mental health conditions
• Brain chemistry imbalances, particularly involving neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine
• Chronic³ stress or exposure to traumatic events
• Personality traits, such as being overly perfectionistic or prone to excessive worrying
• Certain medical conditions or chronic illnesses
• Substance use or withdrawal from drugs and alcohol
• Significant life changes or major life stressors (which can also lead to post-traumatic stress disorder)

Treatment for generalized anxiety disorder aims to reduce symptoms and improve the individual's ability to cope with anxiety. Common treatment options include:

Medication

Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms of general anxiety disorder and regulate brain chemistry.

Do not start, stop, or change medications without consulting with a qualified health professional. If you experience side effects, a healthcare provider may be able to prescribe a different dose or medication that works better for you.

Self-care for anxiety

The following are some self-care practices that may help relieve symptoms:

• Practicing relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness,⁴ meditation and deep breathing exercises (which may also help with panic disorder, other anxiety disorders, and mental health conditions in general)
• Maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle, including regular sleep, exercise, and a nutritious diet
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, which can exacerbate anxiety
• Practicing stress-management techniques and time management skills

Due to the nature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), it is not uncommon to experience its symptoms when it comes to reaching out for help. Because of this, online therapy may offer a more comfortable treatment option, giving participants the ability to receive therapy from the comfort of their own home via audio, video, or live chat.

The following are some additional resources for generalized anxiety disorder: 

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) 
• Harvard Health

According to a recent study from neuroscientists at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), feelings of anxiety may be due to the firing of “anxiety cells” in the brain.

While many brain cells play a role in anxiety, the cells identified in this study are the “first known to represent the state of anxiety,” regardless of the environment that causes it.

During this study, researchers noticed heightened activity in specific cells located in the ventral part of the hippocampus when subjects were exposed to anxiety-provoking environments. Researchers then traced those cells’ output to the hypothalamus, which controls behaviors that are related to anxiety.

Another study from a team of researchers at UCLA Health and the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) has uncovered a  never-before-seen link between the heart and the brain in women who experience generalized anxiety disorder. This research furthers the possibility of new and more targeted treatment options for individuals living with generalized anxiety disorder.

40 million American adults are living with anxiety

Approximately 40 million adults (19.1%) in the United States are living with an anxiety disorder, including GAD, which makes anxiety the most common mental health condition in the country.¹

¹NAMI

Below are more key statistics on generalized anxiety disorder:

1. Generalized anxiety disorder is diagnosed in 5.3% of women compared to 2.8% of men.
2. Despite its prevalence, only 43.2% of adults with GAD receive treatment for the condition. 
3. Research shows that online cognitive behavioral therapy is effective for generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety.