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Mental Health

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

What is generalized anxiety disorder?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) causes its sufferers chronic and exaggerated worry and tension that seem to have no substantial cause. Persons with generalized anxiety disorder often worry excessively about health, money, family, or work, and continually anticipate disaster.

What are the characteristics of generalized anxiety disorder?

People with this disorder usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants, but cannot rid themselves of these irrational concerns. Symptoms may include:

Although GAD may be accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or another anxiety disorder, impairment is usually mild. Generally, people with this disorder do not:

How is generalized anxiety disorder diagnosed?

GAD begins gradually, usually in childhood or adolescence (but can begin in adulthood, too). It is more commonly seen in women and often occurs in relatives of affected persons. Each year, 2-4 percent of Americans experience this disorder.

GAD is diagnosed when someone spends at least 6 months worried excessively about a number of everyday problems.

How is generalized anxiety disorder treated?

In general, the symptoms of GAD seem to diminish with age. Successful treatment may include:


This page was last updated on: February 5, 2008.

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