Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is the most common of the anxiety conditions; it is characterized by chronic feelings of anxiety even in the absence of any definable stressor. A person with GAD may wake up anxious, spend the entire day anxious, and retire to bed still anxious. These anxious feelings may be the result of ruminating over various life factors including career status and performance, social or marital relationships, and financial troubles. GAD causes significant distress which is capable of impairing ones ability to function in social, occupational, and other areas of life.

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Sleep problems

Causes:

While Generalized Anxiety Disorder can manifest itself for a variety of reasons, it has been shown that lifestyle choices greatly affect your chances of developing GAD. The career you choose and the level of responsibility you are faced with are two primary factors; however, this is only half the equation. The way you choose to handle stressful situations will also prove to protect you from, or aid, in the development of GAD. Genetics also plays a role. Science has shown that there is a gene related to the development of GAD. People have either one of two forms of this gene, either the short version or the long version. Studies have shown that the people with the short version of this gene tend to have "type A" personalities and tend to be "what if" thinkers while people with the long version are less prone to ruminate over events.