10 Things You Want To Know About Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Answers to some questions regarding Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

1. What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorders are some of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in the United States. There are many types of anxiety disorders, and some are more well-known and better understood than others. Social anxiety disorder and PTSD get a lot of attention, but there are other types of anxiety disorders that are just as important to learn about. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (or GAD, for short) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by uncontrollable, excessive, irrational worry that interferes with daily functioning. In other words, people with GAD are frequently worried about things that they don't necessarily need to be worried about. Other symptoms include fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and restlessness.

2. What is worry?

Since worry is the main characteristic of GAD, it is important to have a clear understanding of what it actually is. Worry is defined as a conceptual activity that involves the generation of multiple potential or future catastrophes. Essentially, people with GAD are constantly anticipating future disasters. This disorder causes people to analyze every aspect of every situation they are in, and they end up thinking about every possible thing that could potentially go wrong. Even if a situation seems perfectly safe, a person with GAD will find something dangerous or think of some way their life could be in danger.

3. What types of things do people with GAD worry about?

Although people can worry about practically anything (as the word "generalized" implies), there are some common topics that many people with GAD worry about. Health is perhaps the issue that attracts the most worry. Potential sicknesses, potential injuries, being unable to work, and all the other things that accompany health issues are of major concern to those with GAD. Various types of interpersonal relationships are also a common source of worry. People with GAD frequently worry about family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and even mere acquaintances.

4. Wait, can't worry be a good thing?

Too much worry (such as the amount experienced by people with anxiety disorders) is harmful. However, worry is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, without worry, most people would not survive. Worry helps us avoid potentially dangerous situations and can motivate us to defend ourselves when necessary. It would be nearly impossible to get anything done if we did not experience some degree of worry or anxiety. Ultimately, a manageable amount of worry is a good thing, but too much worry can interfere with people's daily life, causing an anxiety disorder.

5. How many people have GAD?

GAD is less prevalent than some other anxiety disorders, but it still affects a significant number of people. One study suggests that around 5% of United States citizens have GAD. Although this number sounds small, it is more impactful than it seems. Given the U.S. population of approximately 323 million, that would mean that over 16 million people in this country have GAD. Social Anxiety Disorder and specific phobias affect more people, while Panic Disorder affects less.

6. Are men and women affected equally?

As is common with many anxiety disorders, women are diagnosed with GAD more than men are. Specifically, women are diagnosed twice as often as men. It is not completely clear why this is. It is very possible that more women are diagnosed simply because they are more likely to seek help. Despite all the progress that has been made in this area, there is still a stigma surrounding mental health disorders, including anxiety, and men may be hesitant to admit they are anxious and to seek help. Just because it is more common for women to be diagnosed with GAD does not mean that this disorder affects them more than men.

7. Is GAD caused by genetics?

There is a genetic component involved in the development of GAD. It has been estimated that around 37% of the risk factors for developing GAD can be explained by genes. If one of your parents has GAD, there is a chance that you also will develop the disorder at some point in your life. However, there is also a chance that you will never develop this disorder. Furthermore, some people who develop GAD have no family history of the disorder. While genes do certainly play a part in the development of GAD, there is clearly more involved.

8. If it's not just genetics, what else can cause someone to develop GAD?

The answer to this question involves a common psychological debate: nature vs. nurture. People often question whether biology and genetics (nature) or the environment (nurture) has a bigger impact on the development of psychological disorders. After much research, the answer seems to be that a combination of nature and nurture is responsible for most disorders, including GAD. Various experiences as a child, including traumatic events, can cause someone to develop anxiety. Stressful events can also activate an anxiety disorder is someone with a genetic disposition.

9. Can people with GAD also have other disorders?

It is quite common for GAD to coexist with other anxiety and mood disorders. In fact, approximately 65% of people who have GAD also have another disorder. Panic Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder are most commonly comorbid with GAD, but it is possible for other disorders to be comorbid as well. It is also common for people with GAD to have substance abuse issues with alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription drugs.

10. How is it treated?

Different types of anti-anxiety medications can be used to help relieve the symptoms of GAD, but their long-term effectiveness has not been proven. The most effective and beneficial treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The goal of CBT is to change the way people think and behave, and to ultimately change the way they feel. There are various components to this treatment, and it can be tailored to each individual. Although CBT has been more successful than medication, it is not 100% successful. For some reason, out of all the anxiety disorders, GAD is one of the most difficult to treat. Unfortunately, there currently is only about a 50% success rate, even with CBT.