Health Conditions

Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry, occurring more days than not for at least six months, about a number of events or activities (e.g. work, school, family, etc.). The person finds it difficult to control the anxiety or worry due to feelings that unidentified danger lurks. The anxiety and worry are usually associated with 3 or more of the following symptoms: restlessness or feeling on edge, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating.

GAD normally develops between the early teens and mid-fifties with the average age being 21 years old. GAD appears to be twice as common in females as in males. At least two-thirds of GAD patients have another psychiatric illness, most commonly depression or another anxiety disorder. There is some evidence that a family history of GAD increases the likelihood of developing GAD.

Alcohol abuse and dependence are common in GAD patients and are frequently a result of patients? attempts to self-medicate their anxiety disorder. Usually, a person who suffers from GAD is able to carry on with normal activities. He or she can function in social settings, or on the job, and does not usually have to avoid certain situations as a result of the disorder. However, severe GAD can be very debilitating and it can make daily life difficult, as well as having a negative impact on the sufferer's relationships with friends and family. Without treatment, less than half of GAD cases have their symptoms diminish over time.

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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.