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Anxiety disorders are often accompanied by other related disorders.

Half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

People who suffer from anxiety disorders are six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who don’t have an anxiety disorder.

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There are many types of anxiety disorders.

General anxiety disorder (GAD)

Panic disorder

Social anxiety disorder

Major depressive disorder

Phobic disorders

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Separation anxiety disorder

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The estimated costs of scaling up treatment, primarily psychosocial counselling and antidepressant medication, amounted to US$ 147 billion

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This treatment involves meeting regularly to talk with a mental health professional and the goal is to change your thinking and behaviours.

This approach has been successful in creating permanent change in many people with anxiety

Doctors may also give medications to help with GAD therapy.

Some common anti-anxiety medications are:

Xanax

Klonopin

Ativan

There are also multiple different GAD support groups if that is what you prefer. They help you get through therapy and it makes your journey much more supportive and enjoyable

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Children and youth with anxiety disorder may avoid:

talking to classmates or adults

going to social events like birthday parties or school dances

using the telephone

making presentations

attending school

eating in public or using public bathrooms

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Anxiety can come back over and over again depending on life’s circumstances and what an individual may be experiencing.

One of the reasons for anxiety to return is most humans feel anxious when they are facing life decisions, such as issues at work, personal problems, or even minor things like taking a test. These things are not planned and when they come on unexpectedly, they can cause anxiety to come back.

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GAD is diagnosed with a mental health screening that your primary care provider can perform. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how long you’ve had them. They can refer you to a mental health specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Your doctor may also do medical tests to determine whether there is an underlying illness or substance abuse problem causing your symptoms

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Symptoms of GAD include:

difficulty concentrating

difficulty sleeping

irritability

fatigue and exhaustion

muscle tension

repeated stomachaches or diarrhea

sweaty palms

shaking

rapid heartbeat

neurological symptoms, such as numbness or tingling in different parts of the body

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Causes of GAD may include:

a family history of anxiety

recent or prolonged exposure to stressful situations, including personal or family illnesses

excessive use of caffeine or tobacco, which can make existing anxiety worse

childhood abuse

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Approximately 2.8 million people, or 10.1% of Canadians aged 15 and older, reported symptoms consistent with generalized anxiety disorder

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Individuals with GAD find it difficult to control their worry and may be overly concerned about money, health, family, work, or other issues.

GAD affects 6.8 million adults (age 18 or older), or 3.1% of the U.S. population, in any given year.

Women are twice as likely to be affected.

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Anxiety Disorders were only recognized in 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association. Before this recognition people experiencing GAD usually received a generic diagnosis of 'stress' or 'nerves'.

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The common name for this mental illness is anxiety but the scientific name is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).