What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) experience excessive worry and have a higher level of baseline anxiety. They commonly worry about multiple areas in their life such as work, health, family, and money. While most people feel anxious at times, people with GAD feel overwhelmed by their anxiety. Along with excessive worry, they often experience a sense of being “keyed up” or easily worn out. They can have difficulty with concentration, irritability, and muscle tension. They often experience sleep disturbances.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental disorders and affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. Below includes statistics related to anxiety disorders for adults in the U.S.

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Population:

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• Specific Phobia: 8% – 12%

• Social Anxiety Disorder: 7%

• Panic Disorder (also known as Panic Attacks): 2% – 3%

• Agoraphobia: 1% – 2.9% in Adolescents and Adults

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 2%

• Separation Anxiety Disorder: 0.9% – 1.9%

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Women are more likely than men to experience anxiety disorders.

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Panic Attacks

Panic attacks come on suddenly and are often without warning or trigger. They typically last between 5-20 minutes. A panic attack involves powerful physical symptoms that may include racing heartbeat, breathlessness, sweating, tremors, upset stomach, numbness or tingling, and dizziness. People undergoing a panic attack commonly have the perception that what they are experiencing is life-threatening. Panic attacks can happen in someone with GAD,  but they can also occur in individuals with no anxiety issues.