Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Description

Characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a number of different things. People with GAD may anticipate disaster and may be overly concerned about money, health, family, work, or other issues. The worry is often out of proportion to the actual circumstance.

Common Symptoms

• Persistent worrying or anxiety about a number of areas
• Overthinking plans and solutions to all possible worst-case outcomes
• Difficulty handling uncertainty
• Restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge
• Fatigue
• Muscle tension
• Sleep problems

Common Causes

• A combination of biological factors, family background, and life experiences. Differences in brain chemistry and function may play a role.

Treatment Information