If you sometimes can't concentrate at work because of excessive worry, if you live in a constant state of dread, if your heart begins to race when you're asked to participate in a business meeting, you are not alone.

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Generalized anxiety disorder (sometimes called GAD) - a condition where everyday stress causes excessive, exaggerated anxiety - affects four million children and adults in the US, accounting for nearly a third of the mental health bill of the nation.*

This type of anxiety is more common in women than men, and often starts in childhood or adolescence.


Symptoms of GAD include worries about money, health, family, or work that are out of proportion for the situation. These worries can be emotionally exhausting and can interfere with relationships.

Physical responses - such as sweating, muscle tension, headaches, trembling, or nausea - can be physically draining.

Additional symptoms of anxiety include:

• Constant feelings of dread and fear
• Unrealistic view of problems
• Edginess and irritability
• Trouble concentrating
• Waking up sweating and anxious
• Becoming easily startled

The causes of generalized anxiety are unknown, but researchers point to these three factors:

1. Your genetics - Someone in your family may have experienced this condition before you, which can be a clue that family history plays a part.

2. Your brain chemistry - Anxiety has been associated with high levels of a neurotransmitter in the brain, which can lead to anxiety because it changes the way the brain reacts in certain situations.

3. Your environment - Stress, trauma, life changes, such as divorce - can play a part. Drugs, alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine can all cause an increase in symptoms.


As soon as your symptoms are distressing to you, or begin to interfere with your daily life, you should consult your doctor. He or she will discuss your symptoms, take a medical history, do a physical exam, and maybe order some tests to rule out a physical problem. Your doctor will then discuss treatment options.

Most of us experience anxiety some times. But if "chilling out" is a foreign concept to you, anxiety may be more overwhelming to your daily life than necessary. See your doctor, who may prescribe a combination of ways to keep your anxiety in check.