Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Common stress related symptoms.

GAD is a long-term condition that causes you to feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than 1 specific event. People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed.

People with generalized anxiety disorder may have a history of significant life changes, traumatic or negative experiences during childhood, or a recent traumatic or negative event. Chronic medical illnesses or other mental health disorders may increase risk.

Symptoms of GAD include:

• Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge.
• Being easily fatigued.
• Having difficulty concentrating.
• Being irritable.
• Having headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or unexplained pains.
• Difficulty controlling feelings of worry.
• Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for GAD. Studies of different treatments for GAD have found the benefits of CBT may last longer than those of medication, but no single treatment works for everyone.