WHAT IS GAD?

Occasional anxiety is a normal part 

of life. You might worry about things 

like health, money, or family 

problems. But people with 

generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) 

feel extremely worried or feel 

nervous about these and other 

things—even when there is little or 

no reason to worry about them. 

People with GAD find it difficult to 

control their anxiety and stay 

focused on daily tasks. 

The good news is that GAD is 

treatable. Call your doctor to talk 

about your symptoms so that you 

can feel better.
GAD develops slowly. It often starts during the 

teen years or young adulthood. People with 

GAD may:

n Worry very much about everyday things

n Have trouble controlling their worries or 

feelings of nervousness

n Know that they worry much more than

they should

n Feel restless and have trouble relaxing

n Have a hard time concentrating

n Be easily startled

n Have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep

n Feel easily tired or tired all the time 

n Have headaches, muscle aches, stomach aches, 

or unexplained pains

n Have a hard time swallowing

n Tremble or twitch

n Be irritable or feel “on edge”

n Sweat a lot, feel light-headed or out of breath

n Have to go to the bathroom a lot

Children and teens with GAD often worry 

excessively about: 

n Their performance, such as in school or in 

sports

n Catastrophes, such as earthquakes or war

What are the signs and 

symptoms of GAD?
Adults with GAD are often highly nervous about 

everyday circumstances, such as: 

n Job security or performance

n Health 

n Finances

n The health and well-being of their children

n Being late

n Completing household chores and other 

responsibilities

Both children and adults with GAD may 

experience physical symptoms that make it hard 

to function and that interfere with daily life. 

Symptoms may get better or 

worse at different times, and 

they are often worse during 

times of stress, such as with a 

physical illness, during exams 

at school, or during a family or 

relationship conflict.
What causes GAD?

GAD sometimes runs in families, but no one 

knows for sure why some family members 

have it while others don’t. Researchers have 

found that several parts of the brain, as well as 

biological processes, play a key role in fear and 

anxiety. By learning more about how the brain 

and body function in people with anxiety 

disorders, researchers may be able to create 

better treatments. Researchers are also 

looking for ways in which stress and 

environmental factors play a role.

How is GAD treated?

First, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. 

Your doctor should do an exam and ask you 

about your health history to make sure that an 

unrelated physical problem is not causing your 

symptoms. Your doctor may refer to you a 

mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist 

or psychologist.

GAD is generally treated with psychotherapy, 

medication, or both. Talk with your doctor 

about the best treatment for you.

Psychotherapy

A type of psychotherapy called cognitive 

behavioral therapy (CBT) is especially useful for 

treating GAD. CBT teaches a person different 

ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to 

situations that help him or her feel less anxious 

and worried. For more information on 

psychotherapy, visit http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

health/topics/psychotherapies.
Medication

Doctors may also prescribe medication to help 

treat GAD. Your doctor will work with you to 

find the best medication and dose for you. 

Different types of medication can be effective 

in GAD:

n Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors 

(SSRIs)

n Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake 

inhibitors (SNRIs)

n Other serotonergic medication

n Benzodiazepines 

Doctors commonly use SSRIs and SNRIs to 

treat depression, but they are also helpful for 

the symptoms of GAD. They may take several 

weeks to start working. These medications 

may also cause side effects, such as 

headaches, nausea, or difficulty sleeping. 

These side effects are usually not severe for 

most people, especially if the dose starts off 

low and is increased slowly over time. Talk

to your doctor about any side effects 

that you have. 

Buspirone is another serotonergic medication 

that can be helpful in GAD. Buspirone needs to 

be taken continuously for several weeks for it 

to be fully effective. 

Benzodiazepines, which are sedative 

medications, can also be used to manage 

severe forms of GAD. These medications are 

powerfully effective in rapidly decreasing 

anxiety, but they can cause tolerance and 

dependence if you use them continuously. 

Therefore, your doctor will only prescribe them 

for brief periods of time if you need them. 
Don’t give up on treatment too quickly. Both 

psychotherapy and medication can take some

time to work. A healthy lifestyle can also help 

combat anxiety. Make sure to get enough sleep 

and exercise, eat a healthy diet, and turn to 

family and friends who you trust for support.

For basic information about these and other 

mental health medications, visit http://www.

nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-healthmedications. Visit the Food and Drug 

Administration’s website (http://www.fda.gov/) 

for the latest information on warnings, patient 

medication guides, or newly approved

medications.

What is it like to have GAD?

“I was worried all the time and felt 

nervous. My family told me that there 

were no signs of problems, but I still 

felt upset. I dreaded going to work 

because I couldn’t keep my mind 

focused. I was having trouble falling 

asleep at night and was irritated at my 

family all the time.

I saw my doctor and explained my 

constant worries. My doctor sent me to 

someone who knows about GAD. Now 

I am working with a counselor to cope 

better with my anxiety. I had to work 

hard, but I feel better. I’m glad I made 

that first call to my doctor.”
Where can I find more information?

To learn more about generalized anxiety 

disorder, visit:

MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)

http://medlineplus.gov

(En Español: http://medlineplus.gov/spanish)

For information on clinical trials, visit:

ClinicalTrials.gov

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov

(En Español: http://salud.nih.gov/investigacionclinica/)

For more information on conditions that affect 

mental health, resources, and research, visit the 

NIMH website (http://www.nimh.nih.gov).

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) 

Office of Science Policy, Planning, 

and Communications 

Science Writing, Press, 

and Dissemination Branch

6001 Executive Boulevard 

Room 6200, MSC 9663 

Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 

Phone: 301-443-4513 or 

1-866-615-NIMH (6464) toll-free

TTY: 301-443-8431 or 

1-866-415-8051 toll free

Fax: 301-443-4279 

Email: nimhinfo@nih.gov

Website: http://www.nimh.nih.gov

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 

AND HUMAN SERVICES 

National Institutes of Health

NIH Publication No. QF 16-4677 

Revised 2016