Generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by excessive, persistent, and difficult-to-control worry about various everyday situations or activities, even when there is no clear reason to be so concerned.

Main characteristics of GAD:

Constant and excessive worry about common things (health, money, work, family, etc.)

Difficulty controlling the worry, which occurs most days for at least six months

Physical symptoms, such as:

Fatigue

Muscle tension

Irritability

Difficulty sleeping

Palpitations

Headaches or gastrointestinal discomfort

Interference with daily life, work, or personal relationships

Causes

There is no single cause, but the following may play a role:

Genetic factors

Chemical imbalances in the brain (e.g., serotonin and norepinephrine)

Personality (perfectionistic individuals or those with low tolerance for uncertainty)

Stressful or traumatic life experiences