What Is General Anxiety?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition that affects approximately 6.8 million adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Risk Factors

• The Mayo Clinic lists substance use, genetics, childhood adversity, illness, stress, personality type and even gender as possible risk factors for developing GAD. More than twice the number of females are diagnosed with GAD compared with males, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms

• Excessive, exaggerated worry about everyday life is a main symptom with general anxiety. According to WebMD, individuals with GAD tend to expect disaster. Other symptoms include an unrealistic view of problems, restlessness, irritability, headaches, difficulty concentrating, tiredness, trouble falling or staying asleep and being easily startled.

Diagnosis

• An individual diagnosed with GAD meets criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association. These criteria include excessive anxiety and worry about several events or activities most days of the week, for at least six months; difficulty controlling feelings of worry; anxiety or worry that causes significant distress or interferes with daily life; anxiety not related to another mental health condition, such as panic attacks, substance abuse or post-traumatic stress disorder; at least three of the following symptoms in adults and one of the following in children: restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, muscle tension or sleep problems.

Treatment

• Although they do not cure anxiety disorders, medications can help control symptoms, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Some medications used to treat general anxiety include Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Paxil, Effexor, Prozac and Zoloft.

Other Ways to Control Symptoms

• Cognitive behavior therapy, relaxation techniques, daily exercise and a balanced diet also help control symptoms.