Education & Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Perpetual anxiety and anxiety that is disproportionate to a given situation may indicate the presence of generalized anxiety disorder. Different socioeconomic factors, such as a person's level of education, may contribute to generalized anxiety disorder. Those with low levels of education may be more susceptible to developing generalized anxiety disorder; however, this is not necessarily true. The extent to which education is associated with generalized anxiety disorder may not be fully determined.

GAD

• Generalized anxiety disorder, sometimes referred to as GAD, is a mental condition. Excessive and persistent amounts of anxiety, fear and worry are the hallmarks of generalized anxiety disorder. Symptoms of GAD may affect the mind and the body. Psychological symptoms may include irritability, inability to concentrate, inability to relax or stop worrying and continual feelings of fear and impending doom. Physical symptoms may include chronic pain, disturbed sleep, stomach problems and being easily startled.

Education

• According to a study published in the journal Depression and Anxiety in 2008, "a low level of education" was associated with diagnoses of generalized anxiety disorder and major depression. A 2008 study published in the journal Neuro-Oncology found that "a lower education level" was a predictor of anxiety. According to the Neuro-Oncology research, people "with at least some college-level education" were less likely to experience anxiety than people without any college-level education.

Considerations

• According to ABCNews.go.com, anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, are mental conditions and have no clear relationship to a person's level of education or socioeconomic status. According to research published in the journal Social Science and Medicine in 2007, the relationship between anxiety and a person's level of education is "unclear," and research in this has yielded knowledge that is "limited and inconclusive"; however, the study claims that higher levels of education may protect against developing anxiety.

Factors

• Other than education, socioeconomic factors that may contribute to generalized anxiety disorder include unemployment, living alone and not having access to health care. According to the research published in Neuro-Oncology, people with a high level of education "may be more aware of their physical and psychological needs," which would make them more likely to seek treatment for anxiety. Those with higher levels of education may also have more money as a result and therefore be able to afford and sustain therapy for their anxiety.

Therapy

• Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder may be managed through a form of psychotherapy known as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on helping people with generalized anxiety disorder to develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving. According to HelpGuide.org, education is a key component of cognitive-behavioral therapy. When people are educated about their anxiety disorder they may be more able to understand themselves and cope with anxiety.