Defining Generalized Anxiety Disorder
What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a persistent feeling of excessive worry or dread that interferes with daily life and is disproportionate to the situation or stressor.
Those living with GAD experience extreme worry that impacts daily activities, decisions, and overall well-being. Even everyday tasks bring heightened feelings of anxiety, like finances, relationships, daily workplace responsibilities, or other routine tasks.
What Does Generalized Anxiety Disorder Feel Like?
Those living with GAD may experience:
- Persistent feeling of worry
- Catastrophizing stresses
- Difficulty “turning off” the brain or relaxing
- Persistent feelings of restlessness or being “on edge”
- Difficulty concentrating
There can also be physical symptoms of GAD, such as muscle tension, difficulty sleeping or staying asleep, headaches, and physical fatigue.
How Serious Is Generalized Anxiety?
Experiencing anxiety on its own is not life-threatening; however, it can seriously impact behaviors, coping skills, and be a massive impairment to daily wellness.
Unaddressed GAD can lead to:
- Development of other mental health conditions or psychiatric disorders, like panic disorder and/or major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Sleep disorders
- Chronic fatigue
- Physical health issues like heart palpitations, blood pressure, and gastrointestinal challenges
Those living with generalized anxiety are also at an increased risk of developing substance use disorder (SUD) or exploring substance abuse as a way to cope with persistent worry.
However, GAD can always be addressed. Talking with a professional at Resilience Recovery Resources about your needs, challenges, and more can help create a therapy program where you or your son can benefit from psychiatry, support groups, and personalized programs to manage anxiety.
How Is GAD Different From Normal Anxiety?
Normal levels of anxiety are common around particular stressors, and are largely short-term in how they impact daily life, while GAD is a persistent feeling of disproportionate worry, where even small stresses can feel like massive challenges.
Anxiety is a normal, universal experience. However, those with GAD experience feelings of anxiety that do not necessarily go away on their own, or even after a stressor has passed.
Prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
How Common Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Approximately 5.7% of adults across the United States have experienced generalized anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, making it much more prevalent than many may realize.
Who Is Most Affected by GAD?
GAD can affect anybody, but some people are at an increased risk of developing GAD, including people:
- With a genetic history of anxiety or mental health disorders
- Living or working in high-stress environments
- Victims of abuse, bullying, or trauma leading to anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
GAD most often begins to show signs in young adulthood to early adulthood, but can persist throughout life until addressed.
Why Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder a Public Health Concern?
GAD is considered a public health concern due to its ubiquity, and those living with it do not always seek treatment to address these challenges, leading to chronic symptoms and other challenges.
GAD’s propensity for developing into comorbidity also contributes, with GAD leading to co-occurring mental health conditions or substance abuse that can have even greater effects on personal and public health.
Causes and Risk Factors of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Why Do People Get Generalized Anxiety?
There is no one, single reason that an individual may develop generalized anxiety.
Rather, it involves a combination of factors, including genetics, environment, relationships, psychological challenges, and each person’s history with anxiety.
Likewise, major life stresses such as changing jobs or moving, ongoing financial concerns, or times of transition or uncertainty can trigger GAD.
Is Generalized Anxiety Genetic or Learned?
It is a combination of both of these factors.
A genetic predisposition can inform the development of GAD, and stressful environments, experiences, or feelings of insecurity can equally bring lasting feelings of anxiety.
What Are the Main Risk Factors for Developing GAD?
Some of the main risk factors for developing GAD include:
- A perfectionist mindset, either imposed upon oneself or others, expecting perfection from an individual, no matter how irrational
- Family history of mental illness, especially anxiety disorders
- Exposure to chronic stress at home, school, or in professional life
- Highly competitive atmospheres
- An underlying medical condition
- Substance use
Signs of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
What Are the Behavioral Signs of GAD?
Behavioral signs of GAD include:
- Needing constant reassurance
- Avoiding stress, unknowns, or uncertainty
- Overpreparing for tasks
- Fear of making mistakes
- Feeling easily overwhelmed
- Restlessness, fidgeting, or inability to calm down
- Difficulty making decisions
Noticing these signs can be a reason to contact healthcare professionals, including a primary care physician, to learn more about available support.
How Does Anxiety Affect Daily Functioning?
Anxiety can not only inform thoughts and feelings, but also daily routines and behaviors, leading to difficulty tending to tasks or focusing, constant fatigue or low energy due to compromised sleep, tasks taking longer than necessary due to perfectionism, and difficulty enjoying downtime.
Does GAD Impact Work, School, or Responsibilities?
Absolutely. GAD can cause reduced productivity or attendance in high-stress work environments, missed deadlines, overworking to compensate for perceived failures or in pursuit of perfection, or an extreme fear of failure.
When Do Anxiety Symptoms Become Noticeable to Others?
The following signs of anxiety are typically clear to those who know what to look for:
- Excessive, repetitive worry
- Easily distracted
- Physically tense or emotionally high-strung
- Increased irritability
- Self-isolation from loved ones
- Difficulty asking for help
- Inability to tend to regular responsibilities
Being familiar with common signs of GAD can empower families to identify when anxiety may be affecting a loved one.
Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
What Are the 5 Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
The five main symptoms of GAD include excessive worry, restlessness, physical and emotional fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and muscle tension.
Can Anxiety Cause Panic Attacks?
Yes. While not everyone who experiences anxiety or lives with GAD will necessarily experience a panic attack, others can.
Panic attacks are sudden and intense feelings of fear that are often accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heart rate, shallow and quick breathing, and feeling out of control.
What Physical Symptoms Are Associated With Anxiety?
The most common physical symptoms associated with anxiety include muscle tension, fatigue, sweating, digestive problems, and elevated heart rate.
Why Does Anxiety Cause Trouble Sleeping and Muscle Tension?
Anxiety can put the brain in a perpetual state of “fight-or-flight.” In this state, the brain can find it incredibly difficult to rest.
Likewise, the body can remain on high alert, leading to muscle tension and strain over time, both of which make it difficult to sleep restfully.
Effects of Generalized Anxiety Disorder on Daily Life
How Does GAD Affect Daily Life and Routine?
Routines may be based around avoidance, and it can be difficult to lead a healthy daily life with feelings of looming anxiety, difficulty focusing, compromised decision-making, and needing the reassurance of others, all creating a strained and exhausting daily life.
How Does Anxiety Impact Relationships and Social Situations?
Fear of saying the “wrong” thing, of inadvertently offending another, social withdrawal, compromising these relationships, or the strain of needing external reassurance can all weigh on important relationships, affecting communication, trust, and introducing even more sources of stress.
Can GAD Affect Physical Health Over Time?
Absolutely. GAD not only causes prolonged muscle tension and sleep disturbances that lead to fatigue, but a compromised diet can add to these physical challenges.
What Does High-Functioning Anxiety Look Like?
High-functioning anxiety refers to people appearing to be successful, motivated, and productive on the outside, even as they struggle internally with constant worry, a drive for perfection, and a fear of not succeeding.
People with high-functioning anxiety have often discovered ways to accomplish tasks despite mounting emotional turmoil. For example, someone may appear to be a hard worker who is highly successful on the outside. However, they are constantly overworking and overpreparing to appear “in control,” despite the emotional toll.
Related and Co-Occurring Disorders
What Is the Difference Between GAD and Panic Disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder is a persistent feeling of dread, worry, and excessive anxiety, while panic disorders include short-term but intense feelings of fear.
A person with panic disorder experiences not just a loss of control, but altered perceptions that the brain interprets as danger, with a person fearing for their safety or wellness even in safe situations.
Can GAD Occur With Depression or Substance Use?
Yes, anxiety and GAD can occur alongside depression, and can even be worsened or influenced by the use of drugs or alcohol.
How Is GAD Different From Social Anxiety Disorder or OCD?
Social anxiety explores anxiety in social situations, where obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a medical condition defined by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
In contrast, GAD is much more generalized, introducing feelings of worry across multiple areas, and can even include symptoms of both social anxiety and OCD.
Diagnosing Generalized Anxiety Disorder
How Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder Diagnosed?
While experiencing anxiety is common, getting a diagnosis for GAD must be done by a trained professional, and it is typically diagnosed in those who experience persistent anxiety for more than 6 months.
What Criteria Are Used in the DSM-5 for GAD?
Excessive worry, inability to control anxiety, and anxiety across multiple areas of daily life are necessary to diagnose GAD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), with these challenges impacting daily life and wellness.
These are determined through a clinical interview and exploring potential other causes of symptoms that may be psychological.
When Should You Seek a Professional Evaluation?
If feelings of anxiety impact not just daily wellness, but routines, behavior, and relationships, seeking professional support to begin confronting the impact of anxiety is often necessary.
Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
How Do You Calm Down Generalized Anxiety?
Personalized strategies like practiced breathing techniques, grounding strategies, physical outlets, relaxation techniques, or knowledgeable supports can all help calm symptoms of anxiety.
Can Generalized Anxiety Go Away?
Anxiety is not something that can be “eliminated.” Rather, effective treatment and support make anxiety highly manageable and prevent anxiety from dictating daily life.
What Are the Most Effective Treatment Options for GAD?
Resilience Recovery Resources uses evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), experiential therapy, personalized care, and pharmacotherapy, when necessary, together for a personalized and effective treatment plan.
Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
How Does CBT Help Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
CBT is an evidence-based therapeutic approach to help identify unhelpful or irrational thoughts, how these thoughts influence behaviors, and build healthier coping strategies so anxiety does not dictate responses or daily life.
What Types of Psychotherapy Are Used for GAD?
CBT, DBT, and mindfulness practices are typically used to treat GAD.
Can Therapy Alone Treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
For some, therapy alone can be enough to treat GAD.
However, for others, medication can be used on an individualized basis, depending on severity and personal needs.
Medications for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
What Medication Is Used for Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
The medication used to address GAD can vary depending on severity and personal needs, and prescriptions can change depending on your reactions and as you develop new skills in healing.
Medication also comes in different classes, including:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Antidepressants like sertraline or escitalopram are often prescribed first when exploring a medication option
- Buspirone: Medications like Buspar can be effective for those who do not respond to SSRIs
- Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): Venlafaxine is also available
What Are the Risks or Side Effects of Anxiety Medication?
An initial increase in anxiety, headaches, nausea, or compromised sexual health is common when just beginning a new medication.
When Are Benzodiazepines Prescribed?
Benzodiazepines are often used to provide short-term relief, and not as a long-term solution to anxiety.
Coping Strategies and Self-Help for GAD
What Is the Worst Habit for Anxiety?
Avoidant behaviors and excessive caffeine use can worsen feelings of anxiety over time.
How Can You Manage Anxiety Day-to-Day?
Structured routines, breaking tasks into smaller chunks through lists, and scheduling time for self-care so it feels like an equal part of the day can all help manage anxiety.
What Lifestyle Changes Help Reduce Anxiety Symptoms?
Avoiding caffeine, keeping a consistent sleep schedule and routine, eating healthy, getting a bit of exercise every day, and making an effort to connect to loved ones each day can help reduce anxiety symptoms.
Supporting Someone With Generalized Anxiety Disorder
How Can Families Support Someone With GAD?
Listen, create an atmosphere of non-judgment, validate feelings, encourage and model effective care, such as routines, diet, and self-care, learn more about anxiety, and be patient.
How Do You Encourage Someone to Seek Help?
Focus on anxiety as a condition, not a defining trait, express concern without pressure, guilt, or blame, and normalize vulnerability and healing rather than stigmatizing.
Knowing When to Seek Help for Anxiety
When Should Anxiety Be Treated by a Professional?
If anxiety persists for weeks to months, if you feel out of control of anxiety, or if you are turning to self-destructive strategies or substances to cope with anxiety, then professional help may be necessary.
Is Anxiety Ever a Medical Emergency?
Anxiety itself is not a medical emergency, but it should still be addressed.
However, associated panic attacks, thoughts of self-harm informed by anxiety, or substance abuse can all create emergencies stemming from anxious feelings.
Where Should You Start If You Need Help?
Talking to a primary care provider or calling a dedicated mental health professional can help you learn more without committing to a program.
Teens can also utilize confidential school counselors to explore anxiety, especially in its relation to academic stress. These people can provide resources for teens and family members.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults
How Does GAD Affect Teens and Young Adults?
Compromised academic and professional performance, tendencies toward social isolation, irritability, and disinterest in hobbies or social gatherings can all create new challenges for teens and young adults.
GAD can also inform experimenting with addictive substances as a coping strategy, as well as impact the developing sense of self and identity that can last into adulthood.
Why Is Early Intervention Important for Young People?
Early intervention can do more than just help begin exploring healthy coping strategies – it can help improve grades, increase confidence, and inform the development of identity during this time, all while helping build important and potentially lifelong relationships with friends and family.
How Does Anxiety Affect Development and Identity?
Anxiety can be devastating to an adolescent’s sense of self, confidence, and self-esteem.
It can also impact feelings of independence and decision-making skills, leading to feeling further out of control of their own identity and future, or making it difficult to pursue personal interests.
FAQs
Can generalized anxiety disorder go away on its own?
Not typically, but it can be manageable with the right support.
Is GAD a lifelong condition?
Yes, coping with anxiety can be a lifelong journey.
However, it can become completely manageable.
Are medications always necessary for GAD?
No, not everyone will necessarily need or benefit from medication.
Therapy by itself is effective for many, especially when finding help for managing anxiety early.
Resilience Recovery Resources provides care for substance use and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) for men in West Palm Beach, Florida, combining personalized age and gender specific care and strategies for lasting change. We can help you explore anxiety and underlying needs for truly comprehensive healing.
