People who have GAD find it very difficult to control the excessive worrying and anxiety that they experience. This worrying is likely to affect their day-to-day lives or will cause them considerable distress. Unlike phobias or panic, the triggers might not be obvious as people with GAD worry about anything and everything. It is a long-term condition and it is more common in females than males. However it can be treated.

Symptoms

•  Extreme worrying about a number of different events or issues
• The worrying occurs at least every other day for at least six months.
• Restlessness, feeling on edge or tiredness
• Concentration problems
• Sleep problems
• Tension

Generalised anxiety affects how you think, behave and feel. For example, you are more likely to see situations as risky or dangerous, more likely to try to leave or avoid situations where you feel anxious and you are more likely to feel physically tense and panicky.

What causes GAD?

 It is not known exactly what causes GAD but some causes might be:

•  An upsetting or threatening event (this could have occurred recently or a long time ago)
• An imbalance of the chemicals serotonin and/or noradrenalin in your brain
• Feeling that you have no control over events in your life

Treatment

Visiting a psychologist can usually help a person’s anxiety. He or she will be able to help you to understand that the worry is usually a very exaggerated reaction and will help you to find ways of coping with the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are keeping the anxiety going. Your GP will be able to refer you to a psychologist. Your doctor may also prescribe you medicine if your symptoms are very severe.

 It may help to keep a diary of day to day events or situations that make you anxious as they happen and note down the thoughts or images going through your head at the time, how your body felt and what you did to cope. This often helps people identify ways of coping with the anxiety.

 Support groups may also be useful; it may help to meet other people who have similar problems and you may learn some helpful tips from people who are recovering.

For more help and information

 You can try contacting the following mental health care organisations, which provide confidential advice and support:

• Call Anxiety Care on 020 8478 3400 on Monday and Wednesdays between 10am and 3pm, visit their website at http://www.anxietycare.org.ukor email them at enquiries@anxietycare.org.uk
• Or you can talk to your GP and ask them to make a referral to somebody appropriate (like a support group or local child and adolescent mental health service).

Last reviewed by Great Ormond Street Hospital: 15 September 2006

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