Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD: characterized by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no obvious reason for worry.

For people diagnosed with GAD, daily life becomes a constant state of worry and fear. The anxiety is so great that it interferes with daily functioning.

Symptoms of GAD can include any or all of the following:

-excessive and ongoing worry or tension

-unrealistic worry and view of problems

-cause of worry is often unknown

-apprehension

-difficulty concentrating

-irritability

-trouble sleeping

So, what causes this disorder to occur?

Although the cause of GAD is still unknown, there are many theories for why it occurs.

Genetics,  Brain Chemistry, & Environmental Factors all play a role in GAD.

 

Genetics: some researchers suggest that family history plays part in the likelihood of a person developing GAD. The tendency of the disorder may be passed on in families.

Brain Chemistry: GAD can be associated with abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. If neurotransmitters are are out of balance, messages can not get through the brain properly. This can alter the way a person's brain reacts to a situation, which may cause anxiety or GAD.

Environmental Factors: Trauma and stressful events may lead to GAD. The disorder can also become worse during a period of extreme stress.

Risk Factors of GAD:

-Females: more than 2x as many women are diagnosed with GAD than men.

-Childhood adversity: children who endure trauma/abuse are more likely to have GAD.

-Chronic Illness: such as cancer, can cause significant worry about the future.

-Personality: certain personalities are more prone to GAD than others.

-Substance Abuse: drug or alochol abuse can worsen the anxiety disorder.

Complications of GAD:

-Association with depression and/or bipolar disorder, which is common for people diagnosed with GAD. It  becomes difficult to distinguish one from the other because they have many simliar symptoms.

-Increased risk for sucicide: 18% of people with GAD attempt sucicide and 38.5% regularly have sucicidal thoughts.

-Alcoholism and Substance Abuse: some people with GAD may use alochol, smoking, or drugs to "self-medicate" for the disorder.

-Effect on School, Work, and Daily Life: studies are consistently reporting that GAD had a negative effect on work and relationships. The disorder can cause a person to be constantly tensed and apprehensive. It will often interfere with every day activities.