Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Symptoms

These are the symptoms of generalized anxiety required for diagnosis, per the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM5).

· Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months,  

  about a number of events or activities.

· The individual finds it difficult to control the worry.

· The anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of the following

  symptoms. With at least some symptoms being present for more days than not

  for the past 6 months:

   o Restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge

   o Being easily fatigued

   o Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank

   o Irritability

   o Muscle tension

   o Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, restless sleep,

      unsatisfying sleep

· The anxiety. Worry or physical symptoms cause significant distress or

   impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

· Symptoms are not due to side effects of a substance (e.g., drug or medication)

   or medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).

Things to Consider

Generalized anxiety is “generalized” because it is experienced in relation to many situations and events; in ‘general,’ the individual experiences anxiety, no matter what the situation. With generalized anxiety, individuals often worry about their health, the safety of their loved ones, finances, whether their friend will work out their marital struggles, how the world is going to find peace… their worries can seem endless. The anxiety also does not have to be limited to what is relevant to the person’s own life; they can worry about things that have no impact on their personal experience.

For someone experiencing generalized anxiety, it can feel exhausting. Anxiety is a state of being ‘on guard,’ which can be adaptive under the right conditions, but is problematic when we do not actually need to be ‘on guard.’ This type of anxiety can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. It is also common for individuals who experience generalized anxiety to experience other forms of anxiety, as well as depression.

Treatment

The very good news is, we understand a great deal about anxiety and how to help individuals gain control. While some people may benefit from medication to address depression that can be associated with generalized anxiety, many people with generalized anxiety can learn how to effectively manage anxiety without medication. 

If you struggle with generalized anxiety, please know that there is hope. Explore the CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) articles and videos on this site, look for books at your library or on Amazon, or reach out to a professional for assistance in learning effective strategies for managing generalized anxiety.  The good news is that there are many strategies you can learn to use simply by accessing mental health education. 

If you are experiencing suicidal ideations, DIAL 988 (the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) to call, text, or chat with a trained counselor.