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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive, and


unrealistic worry about everyday things.

People with the disorder, which is also referred to as GAD, experience


excessive anxiety and worry, often expecting the worst even when there is
no apparent reason for concern. They anticipate disaster and may be overly
concerned about money, health, family, work, or other issues. GAD is
diagnosed when a person finds it difficult to control worry on more days than
not for at least six months and has three or more symptoms.
Sometimes just the thought of getting through the day produces anxiety.
They dont know how to stop the worry cycle and feel it is beyond their
control, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense
than the situation warrants.

GAD affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, in any given
year. Women are twice as likely to be affected.

The disorder comes on gradually and can begin across the life cycle, though
the risk is highest between childhood and middle age. Although the exact
cause of GAD is unknown, there is evidence that biological factors, family
background, and life experiences, particularly stressful ones, play a role.

When their anxiety level is mild, people with GAD can function socially and
be gainfully employed. Although they may avoid some situations because
they have the disorder, some people can have difficulty carrying out the
simplest daily activities when their anxiety is severe.

Source: http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/generalized-anxiety-
disorder-gad
Facts & Statistics
Did You Know?
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S.,
affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18% of
the population. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of
those suffering receive treatment.

Anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year, almost
one-third of the country's $148 billion total mental health bill, according to
"The Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorders," a study commissioned by
ADAA (The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 60(7), July 1999).
o More than $22.84 billion of those costs are associated with the
repeated use of health care services; people with anxiety disorders seek
relief for symptoms that mimic physical illnesses.

People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go
to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric
disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including


genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.

Anxiety and Depression

It's not uncommon for someone with an anxiety disorder to also suffer from
depression or vice versa. Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression
are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
Facts

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)


GAD affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population.
Women are twice as likely to be affected as men.

Source: http://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics

Factors That Play a Role in Depression


Many factors may play a role in depression, including genetics, brain biology
and chemistry, and life events such as trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult
relationship, an early childhood experience, or any stressful situation.

Depression can happen at any age, but often begins in the teens or early 20s
or 30s. Most chronic mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin as high
levels of anxiety in children. In fact, high levels of anxiety as a child could
mean a higher risk of depression as an adult.

Depression can co-occur with other serious medical illnesses such as


diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinsons disease. Depression can
make these conditions worse and vice versa. Sometimes medications taken
for these illnesses may cause side effects that contribute to depression. A
doctor experienced in treating these complicated illnesses can help work out
the best treatment strategy.

Source: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-what-you-
need-to-know-12-2015/index.shtml#pub4
Anxiety and depression in young
people
There are many myths about anxiety and depression in young people, but
the reality is that feeling sad, irritable or anxious most of the time is not a
normal part of adolescence.
We all feel anxious from time to time it might be about exam results; a job
interview or doing a presentation in front of a group of people. This kind of
anxiety is a normal part of life. But, for some young people, these anxious
feelings can happen for no apparent reason. Anxiety is more than feeling
stressed its a serious condition that makes day-to-day life more difficult. It
will usually be far more intense than normal anxiety, and go on for weeks or
months, affecting health and day-to-day activities. There are many types of
anxiety and the symptoms vary.

Everybody feels sad, moody or miserable sometimes. Usually its a reaction


to something, like fighting with family or friends, breaking up with someone,
changing schools or moving. But some people feel sad or miserable most of
the time, they stop enjoying life and lose interest in the activities and things
they used to like. Depression is more than just a low mood its a serious
condition that makes it hard to cope from day to day.

Many different factors can contribute to anxiety and depression in young


people. When it happens, its no ones fault. The important thing is that
depression and anxiety are identified and treated early if left untreated
they can lead to underachieving at study or work, misuse of alcohol and
drugs, and an increased risk of suicide.

Source: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/supporting-someone/parents-and-
guardians/anxiety-and-depression-in-young-people
Untreated Depression
In this article
Untreated clinical depression is a serious problem. Untreated
depression increases the chance of risky behaviors such as drug or
alcohol addiction. It also can ruin relationships, cause problems at work, and
make it difficult to overcome serious illnesses.

Clinical depression, also known as major depression, is an illness that


involves the body, mood, and thoughts. Clinical depression affects the way
you eat and sleep. It affects the way you feel about yourself and those
around you. It even affects your thoughts.

People who are depressed cannot simply pull themselves together and be
cured. Without proper treatment, including antidepressants
and/or psychotherapy, untreated clinical depression can last for weeks,
months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people
with depression.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/untreated-depression-
effects

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What is it? What


pharmaceutical methods are used to treat it, and to which
is the most efficacy attributed?
Katherine Delisio
date: 10/14/2006
One of the fundamental characteristics of GAD is its comorbidity with other
psychological disorders (European Psychiatry, 2004). In other words, GAD
has been proven to have a high coexistence rate with other psychological
disorders. A study done by Carter, Wittchen, Phister, and Kessler (2001)
revealed that half the patients with anxiety symptoms met full criteria for
another psychiatric disorder. GAD has the highest comorbidity with major
depressive disorder (62.4%), followed by dysthymia (39.5%), alcoholism
(37.6%), simple phobia (35.1%), drug abuse (27.6%), and panic disorder
(23.5%) (Southern Medical Journal, 2003). It has also been shown that there
is an increased prevalence of GAD among patients with hyperthyroidism.
Although it is never certain whether GAD is the primary disorder or not,
prospective studies have shown that anxiety almost always appears to be
the primary disorder (New England Journal of Medicine, 2004).
Since these linked disorders can interfere with the proper diagnosis of
GAD, it is crucial that each patient with a pending case of GAD be given a
comprehensive diagnostic assessment to determine whether symptoms are
arising from GAD or from another associated disorder.
GAD is a chronic disorder, with average duration of 20 yrs (British Journal
of Psychiatry, 1996). There is significant disagreement about the life stage
at which the onset of the disease occurs. The New England Journal of
Medicine (2004) dictates that the onset of GAD typically occurs before age
25, while other sources argue that the disease is usually most commonly
diagnosed at age 35 for women and age 45 for men (British Journal of
Psychiatry, 1996). Common risk factors for generalized anxiety include a
family history of the disease, increase in stress, and a history of emotional or
physical trauma. (British Journal of Psychiatry, 1996).

Source: http://healthpsych.psy.vanderbilt.edu/gad.htm

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