Generalized Anxiety Disorder
The hallmark of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is chronic, excessive and uncontrollable worry. People with GAD often recognize that their worry is excessive and struggle with their inability to control it. They often describe worrying about a range of topics, very frequently, throughout most days. The worry is such that it interferes with their ability to participate in relationships, careers, and other aspects of life. Additional symptoms include restlessness, insomnia, poor concentration, muscle tension, fatigue and irritability. Though GAD can occur in isolation, it is far more common to see it in association with depressive symptoms, or other anxiety disorders. GAD is among the most common disorders, affecting about 4 million Americans. The disorder is unlikely to remit without treatment; in one study, only 2.5% of people suffering with GAD had experienced their symptoms remitting without treatment. GAD may begin early or late in life.