They may feel tense without knowing why. Research shows that GAD often coexists with depression, substance abuse, or other anxiety disorders. Patients with physical symptoms such as insomnia or headaches should also tell their doctors about their feelings of worry and tension. Many individuals with GAD startle more easily than other people. About 10 million adults in the United States have this disorder.
Women are more likely to have it than men.
Generalized anxiety disorder 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. Some research suggests that GAD may run in families, and it may also grow worse during stress. Usually the impairment associated with GAD is mild and people with the disorder don't feel too restricted in social settings or on the job. Unlike many other anxiety disorders, people with GAD don't characteristically avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder. However, if severe, GAD can be very debilitating, making it difficult to carry out even the most ordinary daily activities.