Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – What Are Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders?

What is an Anxiety Disorder?

What is an Anxiety Disorder? Anxiety, also known as worry, can manifest in many different forms. However, what all types have in common is excessive fear, anxiety, and the resulting behavioural difficulties that accompany them.

What Are the Types of Anxiety Disorders?

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Panic Disorder

• Social Anxiety Disorder

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Phobias (Specific Phobia, Agoraphobia)

In this article, we will focus on Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Individuals with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) may experience intense anxiety and stress in many areas of their lives. Often, there is no real threat underlying these anxieties; however, the person reacts with disproportionate and excessive fear. The fear and stress experienced go far beyond the healthy responses expected in relation to the nature of the situation. These individuals may be perceived as "worrisome" or "flustered" in social settings, and they can exhibit extreme anxiety, fear, and stress reactions even in minor situations.

For example, it is normal to feel some stress when a deadline for an assignment is approaching. However, individuals with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) may experience this situation with uncontrollable levels of intense stress. Even though they may recognise that their reaction is excessive, they are unable to manage the stress and anxiety, and cannot calm down. In adults, GAD is often related to daily responsibilities such as work, family, and health. However, the source of this anxiety is not fixed; it can change and shift. The person may experience intense anxiety not just about one issue, but across multiple, ever-changing daily situations.

For example, seemingly simple daily situations such as piles of laundry at home, a meeting the next day, a family member's illness, or packing a suitcase before going on holiday can trigger intense and uncontrollable anxiety in a person.

GAD can make it difficult to carry on with your daily life.

Who is Affected by Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

GAD can affect both adults and children.

In adults, daily life responsibilities such as work, family, health, and financial matters can be major sources of intense anxiety.

In children, factors such as academic performance, social relationships, and parental expectations can trigger anxiety and lay the foundation for Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Since the home environment, school, and peer groups directly affect a child's anxiety levels, support in these areas is crucial during the treatment process.

According to the DSM-5, women are twice as likely to experience GAD compared to men, and the lifetime prevalence of GAD is 9%. This means that 9 out of every 100 people may experience Generalised Anxiety Disorder at some point in their lives. It is typically more common in individuals in their 30s, but since various factors beyond age play a role in the development of GAD, this age range can vary significantly.

What Are the Symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

GAD is not limited to stress alone, and this excessive anxiety can lead to mental, behavioural, and somatic symptoms. The most common of these include:

Mental Symptoms:

• Constant state of worry

• Thinking about worst-case scenarios

• Difficulty concentrating

• Restlessness, irritability

Behavioural Symptoms:

• Difficulty making decisions

• Procrastination, avoidance behaviours

• Constant need for reassurance

• Easily startled

Physical (Somatic) Symptoms:

• Muscle tension, headaches

• Nausea, abdominal pain

• Sleep problems

• Fatigue, weakness

• Muscle twitches

• Teeth grinding (Bruxism), trembling

• Stress-related rashes on the skin

Generalised Anxiety Disorder can impact a person's functionality.

How and Why Does Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Develop?

The development of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is influenced by genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

• A family history of anxiety disorders

• Early life experiences (traumas, parental attitudes)

• Personality traits (perfectionism, tendency to take on excessive responsibility)

• Stressful life events can increase the risk of developing GAD.

Individuals with GAD often have a deeply ingrained belief that "something bad is going to happen." This thought pattern becomes automatic over time, and the person lives in constant anticipation of danger, even when there is no real threat. Because they believe every scenario will end in disaster, they perceive all situations in daily life as major threats, creating a vicious cycle of thought and behaviour.

What is the Treatment for Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

GAD, like all other types of anxiety disorders, can vary from person to person and is treatable.

The following approaches are commonly used in the treatment process:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): The goal is to identify and transform thought patterns that lead to anxiety.

• Schema Therapy: The impact of past experiences on current anxiety levels is explored, and emotional awareness is developed.

• Medication: If necessary, anxiolytic or antidepressant medications may be prescribed under the guidance of a psychiatrist.

The frequency, duration, and intensity of anxiety can vary from person to person; it may even fluctuate within the same individual over time. However, it is important to remember that anxiety disorders should not be neglected. If necessary, psychotherapy and, when appropriate, medication should be sought from a specialist. Otherwise, if left untreated, the severity and frequency of anxiety can increase over time, making it difficult for the person to lead a calm daily life.

Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is possible through therapy.