Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by chronic worrying along with extreme tension, nervousness, edginess, and sleep problems. People suffering with GAD seem to always be tired, have trouble concentrating, and are at greater risk of depression and other anxiety disorders.

Approximately 4 million Americans between, ages 18 to 54, suffer from generalized anxiety disorder during the course of any given year. The never-ending worry and the related physical problems can peak to the point that the person has real difficulty functioning in social, occupational, or other important areas of their life.

For many, the elevated anxiety of GAD is accompanied by physical symptoms such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, irritability, hot flashes, irritable bowel syndrome, or frequent and severe headaches.

GAD is highly treatable. The sooner therapy is begun, the sooner the person suffering from this disorder can experience relief from their symptoms and resolve the trauma of the original stressor.

Common Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD is determined when excessive, uncontrollable anxiety occurs more days than not and persists for six months or longer.

Not everyone who suffers from generalized anxiety disorder experiences each of the symptoms listed below. The severity of symptoms also varies with individuals. A person's diagnosis depends on the number of symptoms they have, how strong those symptoms are, and on how long they last.

**Unceasing worrying over things, big and small.

**Persistent physical symptoms, such as headaches and other aches and pains, that do not respond to treatment.

**Difficulty relaxing, always very tense.

**Easily startled.

**Trembling, twitching.

**Trouble with concentration and difficulty completing even the most routine tasks.

**Always feeling crabby or grouchy.

**Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

**Recurring physical feelings associated with fear, such as high heart rate, feeling out of breath, clammy hands, dry mouth, high blood pressure, trouble swallowing, light-headedness, frequent urination, diarrhea, or nausea.

**Uncommon sweating and hot flashes.

What Causes Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder often develop symptoms in response to an especially traumatic or distressful event. They retain the high level of anxiety from the original stressor and this anxiety builds to become chronic, exaggerated worry that gets transferred onto everyday routine life events and activities. For many, generalized anxiety disorder stems from an unresolved, unconscious conflict.

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