Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic mental health condition marked by excessive, uncontrollable, and persistent worry about everyday events that persists for 6 months or longer.
Although the exact cause of GAD is unknown, evidence suggests biological factors, family background, and life experiences, particularly stressful ones, play a role.
Excessive, persistent, and difficult-to-control worry about everyday situations, even when there is little or no reason for concern. This constant worry is often accompanied by symptoms such as restlessness, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, irritability, fatigue, and sleep problems. Rather than helping people feel prepared, the worry often becomes exhausting and interferes with work, relationships, and daily life.
GAD is estimated to affect 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, making it one of the most common mental health conditions. Women are twice as likely to be affected.
The most effective treatment for GAD is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is an evidence-based treatment that helps people break free from the cycle of chronic worry by learning to tolerate uncertainty, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, and respond to anxiety in more adaptive ways. With practice, individuals can experience significant and lasting relief from excessive worry and anxiety.