Facts about Generalized Anxiety Disorder.Generalized anxiety disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder Definition Generalized anxiety disorder is a condition characterized by "free floating" anxiety or apprehension not linked to a specific cause or situation. (GAD Gad, in the Bible, son of Jacob and Zilpah and eponymous founder of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Its allotment was half of Gilead; this was the land best suited to the pastoral life, which Gad, like Reuben, continued after the years in Egypt. ) is characterized by 6 months or more of chronic, exaggerated worry and tension that is unfounded or much more severe than the normal anxiety most people experience. People with this disorder usually expect the worst; they worry excessively about money, health, family, or work, even when there are no signs of trouble. They are unable to relax and often suffer from insomnia. Many people with GAD also have physical symptoms, such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headaches, irritability or hot flashes hot flashes Hot flush Gynecology A symptom afflicting 80-85% of middle-aged ♀, first occurring during the perimenopause, continuing with ↓ intensity for yrs, manifesting itself as transient waves of erythema and uncomfortable warmth beginning in the . Fortunately, through research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is part of the federal government of the United States and the largest research organization in the world specializing in mental illness. (NIMH) and by industry, effective treatments have been developed to help people with GAD. How Common Is GAD? * About 2.8% of the adult U.S. population ages 18 to 54 - approximately 4 million Americans - has GAD during the course of a given year. * GAD most often strikes people in childhood or adolescence, but can begin in adulthood, too. It affects women more often than men. What Causes GAD? Some research suggests that GAD may run in families, and it may also grow worse during stress. GAD usually begins at an earlier age and symptoms may manifest themselves more slowly than in most other anxiety disorders Anxiety disorders A group of distinct psychiatric disorders characterized by marked emotional distress and social impairment, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. . What Treatments Are Available for GAD? Treatments for GAD include medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Can People With GAD Also Have Other Illnesses? Research shows that GAD often coexists with depression, substance abuse, or other anxiety disorders. Other conditions associated with stress, such as irritable bowel syndrome irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), condition characterized by frequently alternating constipation and diarrhea in the absence of any disease process. It is usually accompanied by abdominal pain, especially in the lower left quadrant, bloating, and flatulence. , often accompany GAD. Patients with physical symptoms such as insomnia or headaches should also tell their doctors about their feelings of worry and tension. This will help the patient's health care provider to recognize that the person is suffering from GAD. For more information about generalized anxiety disorder and other anxiety disorders, write: The Anxiety Disorders Education Program, National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Blvd. Room 8184, MSC (1) (MSC.Software Corporation, Santa Ana, CA, www.mscsoftware.com) Founded in 1963 by Richard H. MacNeal and Robert G. Schwendler, MSC is the world's largest provider of mechanical computer aided engineering (MCAE) strategies, simulation software and services. 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 Or call 301-443-4513. Publications and other information are also available online from the NIMH Website at http://www.nimh.nih.gov or by calling toll-free 1-88-88-ANXIETY (1-888-826-9438). Publication No. OM-99 4153 (Revised) Printed September 1999 | Publications Order Form | | NIMH Home | Welcome | News and Events | Clinical Trials | Fundinq Opportunities | | For the Public | For Practitioners | For Researchers | Intramural intramural /in·tra·mu·ral/ (-mu´r'l) within the wall of an organ. in·tra·mu·ral adj. Occurring or situated within the walls of a cavity or organ. Research | | Top | For information about NIMH and its programs, please email, write or phone us. NIMH Public Inquiries 6001 Executive Boulevard, Rm. 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 U.S.A. Voice (301) 443-4513; Fax (301) 443-4279 This page was last updated: December 7, 2000. |
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