Symptoms

Anxiety
Difficulty falling asleep at night
Dizziness
Fatigue
Feeling of dread
Feeling overwhelmed
Insomnia
Irregular Heartbeat
Irritability
Irritability, depression or anxiety
Lack of motivation or focus
Lustlessness
Muscle aches
Muscle tension or pain
Pounding heart
Rapid, pounding heart rate
Rapidly fluttering heart
Sadness
Shortness of breath
Stress
Trembling
Upset stomach
Weakness
Worrying

What To Expect

Generalized anxiety disorder can manifest both psychologically and physically. Psychological symptoms include persistent, unrealistic, and exaggerated fears. The fears affect different areas of life. They are not a reaction to a threat, nor are they limited to specific things or situations. Because anxiety can relate to anything, experts refer to it as "generalized" anxiety. They worry about practically everything - big and small, and even completely trivial things. Many also fear anxiety itself or worry about worrying all the time. The constant fears significantly limit daily life or make it impossible. In response to anxiety, the adrenal gland releases the hormone adrenaline. It speeds up many bodily functions - usually to increase alertness and responsiveness in the short term: The heart beats faster, breaths become short and shallow. In people with generalized anxiety disorder, this physical state of alarm can persist. Possible other symptoms include lightheadedness, nervousness, dizziness, trembling, sweating, muscle tension, palpitations, and stomach discomfort. Feeling anxious all the time is exhausting and can lead to difficulty concentrating and sleeping. Especially if someone is depressed at the same time, he or she may think about suicide.

Made Worse By

The causes of generalized anxiety disorder are not yet fully understood. Both biological and psychological factors probably play a role. Some people with an anxiety disorder have experienced severe trauma in childhood or later in life, suffered losses, or had many punishing experiences, for example, severe family stress or ongoing extreme workload. Sometimes a life crisis can cause anxiety that develops into generalized anxiety disorder. There is also evidence that the increased tendency to anxiety may be common in a family. Sometimes an anxiety disorder is a consequence of another disorder - such as depression or panic disorder, or it is related to an addictive disorder. But it can also occur for no apparent reason.

How Common

Generalized anxiety disorder is a common anxiety disorder. According to estimates, about 5% of all people receive this diagnosis in the course of their lives. Women are affected twice as often as men. Most often, an anxiety disorder begins in middle adulthood, but it can develop earlier or later. Children can also have generalized anxiety disorder. It is less common in people over 65.

Diagnosed By

There are different types of anxiety disorders with different symptoms. These include phobias, panic disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In addition, many people with an anxiety disorder also have symptoms of depression. Making an exact diagnosis can be difficult and is only possible in detailed discussions with psychologists or psychiatrists.