Check for symptoms you may experience, and take the results to your doctor.
View and print
These documents are in PDF (Portable Document Format). PDF files require Adobe® Reader®; click here to download this free program.
Everyone feels anxious from time to time — like when you're running late or interviewing for a job. People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), however, feel some anxiety or worry almost constantly.
They often anticipate disaster or have exaggerated worries about a wide range of issues, from their health to their families to their daily responsibilities. Yet even when they recognize that the worrying is excessive, it is hard to control.
GAD affects their body, too. In fact, many people with generalized anxiety disorder visit their doctor with problems — like sleep troubles or muscle aches — without realizing these are common symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
About 5% of U.S. adults experience generalized anxiety disorder at some point during their lifetime, and about 3% have it in any given year.
In addition to experiencing excessive, uncontrollable anxiety for 6 months or more, people with generalized anxiety disorder have at least three of the symptoms below more days than not.
Review the list of symptoms.
Other physical symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder include:
People with generalized anxiety disorder may also experience depression at some point.
Your genes may be partly responsible for why generalized anxiety disorder develops. The same genetic factors that influence your risk for this anxiety disorder may also be related to those for major depressive disorder.
Research also suggests that while your genes may make you more vulnerable to developing this disorder, your environment could be the trigger that sets it off. Stressful experiences can intensify generalized anxiety disorder.
Two natural chemicals in the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine, are thought to be linked to this condition, as well as to other anxiety disorders and depression. Prescription medications that affect these chemicals may help eliminate the symptoms of GAD.
Generalized anxiety disorder is more common in women than in men, and it usually starts in childhood or adolescence. Many adults with generalized anxiety disorder say they've been lifelong worriers, but it's not uncommon for this disorder to appear later in adulthood.
Treatment options are available that can help people with generalized anxiety disorder. Learn more and take action.
Your guide has 0 topics.
Add a topic
See your guide
Close
Fill in the information below to send an e-mail message and a link to this page.
Recipient's e-mail address
Your e-mail address
Send
This form does not collect your information. To learn more about our use of your information and your rights, please consult our Privacy Policy.
A message has been sent to your intended recipient with a link to this page. He or she will receive it shortly.
Thank you.