Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is behavior marked by a pattern of frequent, persistent worry and anxiety over many different activities and events.
Alternative Names
GAD; Anxiety disorder
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common condition. It is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry, which is out of proportion to the impact of the event or circumstance that is the focus of the worry.
For example, while college students often worry about tests, a student who constantly worries about failure -- despite getting consistently good grades -- has the pattern of worry typical of this disorder.
The person finds it difficult to control the worry. The cause of GAD is not known, but biological and psychological factors play a role. Stressful life situations or maladaptive behavior, acquired through learning, may also contribute to GAD.
The disorder may start at any time in life, including childhood. Most patients with the disorder report that they have been anxious for as long as they can remember. GAD occurs somewhat more often in women than in men.
Symptoms
Anxiety and worry are often associated with the following symptoms:
Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep; or restless, unsatisfying sleep)
Excessive sweating, palpitations, shortness of breath, and various gastrointestinal symptoms
Signs and tests
A physical examination and a psychological evaluation should be completed in order to rule out other causes of anxiety. Physical disorders that may mimic an anxiety state should be ruled out, as well as drug-induced symptoms. Various diagnostic tests may be done in this process.
Treatment
Treatment may involve specific medications that provide a sedative (sleep-inducing) or calming effect. Several antidepressant medicines are approved for generalized anxiety disorder.
Panic disorder
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes repeated, unexpected attacks of intense fear. These attacks may last from minutes to hours. See also: Generalized anxiety disorder Reviewer: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/25/2006
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent thoughts, feelings, ideas or sensations (obsessions) or¿behaviors that makes a person feel driven to perform (compulsions.¿A person may have both obsessions and compulsions.¿ An¿example of obsessive-compulsive disorder is excessive, repeated¿handwashing to ward off infection. Reviewer: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/08/2006
Separation anxiety (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Separation anxiety is a developmental stage during which the child experiences anxiety when separated from the primary care giver (usually the mother. It is normally seen between 8 and 14 months of age. Reviewer: Katrina McPherson, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/08/2004
Repeated nightmares(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Repeated nightmares are bad dreams that recur frequently and involve the same theme. Nightmares usually begin before the age of 10 and are considered a normal part of childhood, unless they significantly interfere with sleep, physical development, or psychosocial development. They tend to be more common in girls than in boys. Nightmares may continue into adulthood. Nigthmares are different from night terrors. Reviewer: Leisha M. Andersen, M.D., Private Practice specializing in Pediatrics, Denver, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 01/22/2007
Schizophrenia (1 image)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder. It difficult for a person to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses to others, and to behave normally in social situations. Reviewer: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/08/2006
Panic disorder with agoraphobia (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by repeated and unexpected attacks of intense fear and anxiety. Panic attacks are usually not related to a particular situation and typically peak within ten minutes of onset. The anxiety experienced by patients with social and specific phobias is usually expected or cued to a recognized stimulus. Agoraphobia refers to a fear of being in places where escape might be difficult, or where help might be unavailable in case of a panic attack. Reviewer: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/08/2006
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