Generalized anxiety disorder exists when excessive anxiety and worry has occurred
for more days than not over a period of at least six months. Individuals find
it difficult, if not impossible, to control their worry and experience additional
physical symptoms, such as irritability, restlessness, muscle tension, difficulty
concentrating, jumpiness, and have difficulty sleeping. Worrying, in this
disorder, is about everyday things and is disproportionate to what is called
for in the situation. It affects an individuals daily functioning and often
focuses on health concerns, financial matters, family issues or more routine
issues such as job responsibilities, organization, accomplishing things or
always being late for appointments. During the course of this disorder the
focus for worry can shift from one topic to another. Individuals experience significant distress or impairment in social, occupational and/or general
functioning.
Physical Symptoms of GAD
trembling
twitching
feeling shaky
muscle aches and soreness
cold, clammy hands
dry mouth
sweating
nausea or diarrhea
exaggerated startle response
difficulty sleeping
Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Children
Children with generalized anxiety disorder display many of the same symptoms
as adults. The focus for worry with children is usually around their competence
or the quality of their performance. School age children will worry excessively
about grades, homework, tests and their school performance as a whole. Children
with this disorder tend to be hypercritical of themselves, strive for perfection
and often seek approval or reassurance from trusted adults. Over half of adults
diagnosed with this disorder can trace its onset to childhood or adolescence
Generalized
Anxiety Disorder
