Overview

What it is: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a condition of persistent, overpowering worry and anxiety lasting at least six months to several years. It is characterized by worry, anxiety and tension, often without an apparent cause.

How it's diagnosed: Many GAD patients are difficult for doctors to diagnose because they often appear to have many other psychic (restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating) and physical (muscle tension, fatigue, sleep disturbance) symptoms. Patients often return to their doctors' offices repeatedly over time, looking for an answer; they don't know it may be GAD.

How it's treated: Treatment can involve taking medications, psychotherapy (talk therapy) or both. It is likely you will need ongoing treatment to prevent GAD from returning once it has been successfully treated.

Paxil is the first and only selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) anxiolytic (a drug used for relief in anxiety disorders) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of GAD.

If you have excessive feelings of worry, anxiety and tension, you might be wondering if you are the only one who feels the way you do, if what you are feeling is really GAD and if your feelings are really bad enough to see a doctor.

The hallmarks of GAD are excessive worry, anxiety and tension. However, people with GAD also have additional conditions such as depression or other anxiety disorders. Until recently, doctors commonly prescribed benzodiazepines for treatment of GAD. However, these drugs carry a risk of dependence, should not be used for a long period of time, and they are not approved for treatment of depression.

Some people find comfort just by learning GAD is a medical condition. Learning more about your condition is often a good first step toward feeling better.

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What Does It Feel Like?

Unlike people with the normal worry and anxiety we all face, people with GAD often worry when there are no signs of trouble. In fact, they often feel overwhelmed by their anxiety and find it difficult to control their worry. The excessive worry and anxiety can last many years, interfering with their daily lives. These excessive worries often pertain to many different areas, including work, relationships, the family, finances, potential misfortunes and deadlines. It is sometimes associated with other symptoms, such as muscle tension, fatigue, poor concentration, insomnia and irritability. GAD is a chronic disorder requiring a doctor's treatment.

Because many of the symptoms of GAD are physical, the emotional aspect of GAD could go unnoticed by your healthcare provider. It is important to talk to your doctor about your worry and anxiety, as well as your physical symptoms.

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How Common Is GAD?

You might feel you are the only one who has ever felt this kind of excessive anxiety. But this isn't true. You are not alone. Many people suffer from GAD.

In the United States, GAD affects approximately 8 million adults every year (nearly twice as many women as men). GAD patients are the second most frequent users of the healthcare system, after patients with depression.

Remember: GAD can be treated and you can feel better. Many people see some improvement in their worry, anxiety and tension soon after starting treatment. Treatment often involves medication, specific types of psychotherapy or both.

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