Generalized anxiety disorder occurs when you feel worried and stressed
about many everyday events and activities. Often the things you are worried
about are small or not important. This type of worry disrupts your life most
days. Everyone gets worried or anxious sometimes. But people with generalized
anxiety disorder experience more than normal everyday worries.
Normal life includes some anxiety and fear. In a stressful situation, your brain triggers a flood of chemicals into the bloodstream. Your heart beats faster; your breath becomes shallow and rapid; muscles tense; your mind goes on full alert. It's all part of the human's innate reaction to a threat: You're ready to flee or fight.
Sometimes anxiety and fear linger on and on. The feelings can be overwhelming. When they interfere with normal activities, there's a problem. Doctors call this kind of problem...
Anyone can get
generalized anxiety disorder at any age. But it usually starts when you are a
child or teenager. Most people with generalized anxiety disorder have felt
nervous or anxious as long as they can remember. Women are
twice as likely as men to have the problem.
cause of generalized anxiety disorder is not known. Some studies show that it
might be passed through the family (genetic).
Some problems such
hyperthyroidism can cause generalized anxiety
Some medicines can cause worry and stress or make your
stress worse, such as medicines with amphetamines (Ritalin) or too much
caffeine. Illegal drugs such as cocaine can also cause these symptoms. Be sure
to talk with your doctor about any medicines you are taking.
What are the symptoms?
People who have
generalized anxiety disorder get worried and stressed about many things almost
every day. They have a hard time controlling their worry. Adults with this
problem often worry about money, family, health, or work. Children with this
problem often worry about how well they can do an activity, such as school or
You might also have physical symptoms, such as:
Feeling tired or irritable, or having a hard time