Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD)
By: Corina Acosta, Xiomara
Zelaya, and Henry
What is GAD?
Generalized Anxiety
Disorder involves
anxiety and worry that
is excessive and
unrelenting. This
high-level anxiety
makes normal life
difficult and relaxation
impossible.
Rates of GAD
According to DSM-IV,
approximately 3% of people will
develop the disorder during a
given year, and 5% of people will
have GAD at some point of their
lives.
GAD is said to affect a larger
number of women than men; the
ratio being 2:1.
German study found that 6.6% of
women and 3.6% of men will
develop GAD along their lifespan.
Research also found that GAD
may affect people at different rates
based on their age.
Although research on GAD and
the elderly is not complete, 17% of
elderly men and 21.5% of elderly
women experience severe anxiety.
The lowest prevalence rates are
for people between the ages of
15-24.
Overall, GAD can affect people of
all ages and although people
experience symptoms at a very
early age, it can fully develop at
any point during the lifespan.
Signs and Symptoms of GAD
Not everyone with GAD have the same symptoms, but most people
with GAD experience a combination of a number of the following
physical and psychological symptoms:
Physical Symptoms: muscle tension, aches, soreness, trouble
falling/staying asleep, stomach problems, nausea, unsteadiness, and
restless.
Psychological Symptoms: irritability, inability to control anxious thoughts,
inability to relax, difficulty concentrating, fear of losing control or being
rejected.
Children and GAD: in children excessive worrying is mainly focuses on
future events, past behaviors, and school performances. Unlike adults with
GAD, children and teens with GAD often don’t realize that their anxiety is
disproportionate.
Causes
Chemical Explanation
Treatment/Therapy
Living With GAD
GAD produces exaggerated worry
about everyday things. Individuals
with GAD experience unrealistic
concerns over issues of family,
work, health, and money, far
beyond what an average person
feels.
People with Generalized Anxiety
Disorder almost report poor quality
of life and much of this has to do
with their tendency to live “in the
future”
In general, people with anxiety can
lead to violence but in most cases,
people with GAD tend to feel more
helpless and depressed.
How GAD Impacts Relationships
and Families.
In general, the whole family
suffers when an individual suffers
from anxiety.
Relationships between parents
and children, siblings, spouses
and extended family members
become strained.
Communication becomes a
challenge due to the symptoms.
Family members may withdrawal
from eachother.
Resources Available to People With
GAD
Most insurance plans
cover treatments for
anxiety disorder.
For people who don’t
have insurance, local
city or county
governments may
offer treatment at a
clinic or health center.