Symptoms
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is much more than the normal
anxiety people experience day to day. It's chronic and exaggerated
worry and tension, even though nothing seems to provoke it. Having
this disorder means always anticipating disaster, often worrying
excessively about health, money, family, or work. Sometimes, though,
the source of the worry is hard to pinpoint. Simply the thought
of getting through the day provokes anxiety.
People with GAD can't seem to shake their concerns, even though
they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the
situation warrants. People with GAD also seem unable to relax.
They often have trouble falling or staying asleep. Their worries
are accompanied by physical Symptoms, especially trembling, twitching,
muscle tension, headaches, irritability, sweating, or hot flashes.
They may feel lightheaded or out of breath. They may feel nauseated
or have to go to the bathroom frequently. Or they might feel as
though they have a lump in the throat.
Many individuals with GAD startle more easily than
other people. They tend to feel tired, have trouble concentrating,
and sometimes suffer depression, too.
Usually the impairment associated with GAD is mild
and people with the disorder don't feel too restricted in social
settings or on the job. Unlike many other anxiety disorders, people
with GAD don't characteristically avoid certain situations as
a result of their disorder. However, if severe, GAD can be very
debilitating, making it difficult to carry out even the most ordinary
daily activities.
GAD comes on gradually and most often hits people
in childhood or adolescence, but can begin in adulthood, too.
It's more common in women than in men and often occurs in relatives
of affected persons. It's diagnosed when someone spends at least
6 months worried excessively about a number of everyday problems.
Specific Symptoms of this Disorder:
Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring
more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events
or activities (such as work or school performance).
The person finds it difficult to control the worry.
The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or
more) of the following six Symptoms (with at least some Symptoms
present for more days than not for the past 6 months; children
don't need to meet as many criteria).
restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
being easily fatigued
difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
irritability
muscle tension
sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless
unsatisfying sleep)
Additionally, the anxiety or worry is not about having a Panic
Attack, being embarrassed in public (as in Social Phobia), being
contaminated (as in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), being away
from home or close relatives (as in Separation Anxiety Disorder),
gaining weight (as in Anorexia Nervosa), having multiple physical
complaints (as in Somatization Disorder), or having a serious
illness (as in Hypochondriasis), and the anxiety and worry do
not occur exclusively during Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The anxiety, worry, or physical Symptoms cause clinically
significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or
other important areas of functioning.
The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological
effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or
a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism) and does not
occur exclusively during a Mood Disorder, a Psychotic Disorder,
or a Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
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