Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Part II of a Series on Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal part of our everyday lives. It is a natural reaction to daily events that stimulate our feelings of intense fear or concern. However when normal feelings of anxiety become exaggerated or seem to take over our lives, this could lead to the development of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is one of the most common ailments affecting people today with some research reporting that over 6 million Americans suffer from the disorder. While other anxiety related disorders have specific triggers or causes, Generalized Anxiety Disorder tends to be defined by a general, wide-ranging worried feeling without a particular source or reason. This type of anxiety may be experienced as a sort-of baseline anxious feeling that we walk around with at all times without any real understanding of its origin or basis.

The anxiety that people feel as a result of Generalized Anxiety Disorder can vary in its intensity. Some people experience a low level of anxiety that is uncomfortable but doesn’t disrupt their everyday functioning while others feel extreme tension and worry that can lead to physical symptoms and get in the way of their ability to maintain their normal routines.

Underlying all of this anxiety are irrational fears and exaggerated feelings of worry about normal life events and activities. For some people suffering from this disorder a trip to the grocery store or a routine medical visit might trigger a state of increased tension and worry that could cause them to lose sleep and become agitated or cranky. Other life events like business presentations, college exams, or family get-togethers might lead to even more intense responses.

No one knows how or why people get Generalized Anxiety Disorder but there are some factors that might play a role in how it develops. First of all, scientists believe that there is a genetic component that could predispose people to the disorder. Some also believe that a demanding environment or a lot of stressful events or traumas could contribute to the development of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. While its causes are not generally agreed upon, the best treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder is understood to be a combination of medication – to help alleviate some of the physical symptoms of the disorder, and therapy – to gain more of an awareness and understanding of sources of the anxious feelings.