Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a condition characterized by ongoing ruminative worry. It’s typical for people to worry now and then about things such as family problems, money, children, jobs, etc. However, individuals with GAD find themselves worrying about these sorts of daily stressors, in addition to many other things, excessively and often. They often worry even when there does not seem to be a good reason to worry, or when worrying about it does not seem to help solve their problems.

People with GAD often report feeling extremely stressed out and overwhelmed by typical life events, or “daily hassles”. This worry typically occurs on most days and to an extent that causes disruption in their life. Approximately 5 percent of the population will meet criteria for GAD at some point in their lives. It typically develops over time, with many sufferers thinking that they have always been “the worrying type” or an “anxious person”.

Not everyone experiences worry the same way, but some typical symptoms of GAD include:

• Inability to stop worrying even when worrying does not seem to help solve life’s problems
• Worrying to try and reduce worry (trying to worry your way out of you worry)
• Restlessness
• Muscle tension
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability/Edginess
• Sleep difficulties

If you, or a loved one, is suffering from GAD, please remember that effective evidence-based anxiety treatments have been consistently shown to help individuals with GAD to take back their lives from the clutches of anxiety.