GAD is characterized by persistent or excessive anxiety about daily life. These feelings can interfere with everyday life and relationships.

GAD is a type of 3,1% (or 6,8 million adults) of the population in a given year. Women are more likely to suffer from it.

It can be challenging to live with anxiety. GAD, like other anxiety disorders, is treatable. Psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes are some of the most effective treatment options.

This article gives an overview of GAD, including its causes and symptoms. The report also includes some possible treatment options.

Symptoms

GAD is diagnosed by doctors when an individual experiences anxiety for six months or longer.

The physical symptoms of the disorder may vary from case to case. The symptoms may worsen or improve at different times. For instance, high levels of stress and physical illness can cause symptoms to decline for a time.

GAD is characterized by emotional and cognitive symptoms, including:

• Uncontrollable, persistent, and uncontrollable worries, fears, and concerns
• Inability to cope with uncertainty
• Intrusive thoughts
• Planning and problem-solving are excessive
• difficulty making decisions
• Fear of “wrong decision.”
• Problems Concentrating
• Inability to relax

Physical symptoms include:

• Tense muscles
• pains and aches
• difficulty sleeping
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• Feeling restless, jumpy, or twitchy
• heart palpitations
• diarrhea, nausea and HTML2_ constipation HTML2_ are all digestive problems.
• Being easily startled
• frequent urination

The following behavioral symptoms are familiar:

• Being unable to relax and spend quiet time alone
• Having difficulty concentrating can lead to a person switching between tasks or failing to complete a task.
• Spending excessive time on simple tasks
• Redoing functions if they are “not perfect.”
• Avoid situations that cause anxiety, such as socializing and speaking to others.
• Missing school or work because of fatigue, fear, or other symptoms
• Reassurance and approval are required from others

When experiencing anxiety or depression, children and adolescents may show signs of irritability by displaying the source.

Conditions that co-occur

People with GAD have co-occurring conditions. These include:

• other anxiety disorders, such as phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or social anxiety
• depression
• Drug or alcohol abuse

Causes of risk and factors

GAD has no known cause. It is most likely caused by a combination of several factors, including:

Genetics

According to some studies, having a family history increases your risk of developing GAD. Children of GAD sufferers are more likely than others to build it themselves.

Brain chemistry, structure, and function

Different brain functions may increase anxiety disorder risk. In neuroimaging studies, functional MRI scans also show differences in brain structure among people with GAD.

An imbalance of causes for anxiety.

Additional Risk Factors

Other risk factors for developing GAD include:

• Personality traits: People with a pessimistic or timid outlook may be at greater risk of developing GAD. Some 2016 researchTrustedSource suggests that anxiety disorders are linked to neuroticism.
• Traumas and other life events: An experience of trauma such as abuse, bereavement, or neglect may contribute to GAD.
• Chronic diseases An anxiety disorder can be caused by a chronic illness or addiction to substances.
• Assigned Sex: According to estimates, people assigned as females at birth are two times more likely than males to suffer from GAD.
• AgeGAD affects people of all ages. The risk is most significant from childhood until middle age.

Diagnosis

A doctor or they must have a Trusted Source.

• For at least six months, they must have experienced excessive anxiety in multiple areas of their lives.
• You may find it difficult to control your worries.
• At least three symptoms of the following (or one sign if you are a child):
  • Restlessness
  • fatigue
  • difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Tensing muscles
  • Sleep issues
• Significant distress or difficulties functioning in social or workplace settings

These symptoms should not be caused by substance abuse or any other medical condition.

A doctor can:

• Perform a physical exam.
• Take a complete medical and family history.
• Use a psychological questionnaire
• Order blood or urine tests.

Treatments

The severity of symptoms and other medical conditions will determine the treatment options.

Some people need a combination of treatments, including psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. It may be necessary to prescribe medication.

Treatment options include

Psychotherapy

A therapist can help you manage your symptoms. Doctors and mental healthcare professionals recommend Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat anxiety because it is effective and safe.

The study suggests that the treatment of GAD with CBT is as effective as medication and even more effective after six months.

Acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness-based therapy are two other types of therapies that have shown promise for treating GAD. This type of therapy uses mindfulness and sound techniques.

Medication

A healthcare professional might recommend medication to treat the symptoms of GAD.

GAD can be treated with a variety of drugs, including

• Anxiolytics: Doctors prescribe serotonin-reuptake or norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors, most commonly for GAD. It can take up to several weeks for these drugs to start working.
• Buspirone Buspirone Buspirone is an anti-anxiety drug that reduces physical symptoms of anxiety. Buspirone takes several weeks to work.
• The benzodiazepines_: Doctors may occasionally prescribe a short-term benzodiazepine to relieve stress. These medications have a fast-acting effect, but they are habit-forming. They may not be appropriate for those with a history of addiction.

Lifestyle changes

Making lifestyle changes can help manage worries and concerns. Some helpful lifestyle changes include:

• exercising regularly
• A balanced diet
• Reduce exposure to stressors.
• Prioritizing events and issues
• practicing mindfulness, meditation, or yoga
• Keep a journal for identifying anxiety triggers and coping techniques.
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs and limiting or eliminating nicotine or caffeine
• Setting a schedule for sleep to get 7-9 hours per night

Summary

Anxiety is part of everyday life. However, excessive anxiety and worry can be a sign of anxiety disorder.

GAD is a common disorder that can be treated effectively. People who are concerned about their mental well-being should seek treatment from a doctor or therapist. The sooner a person seeks help, the better.