Anxiety symptoms can be mild or severe. Most people worry about something every now and then, but individuals with an anxiety disorder often have excessive or unrealistic worries about everyday tasks or events. Sometimes the anxiety can be directed to a specific event, object, or ritual. Anxiety symptoms can impact the ability to function in society.  There are effective treatments that can help people with anxiety disorders. Anyone experiencing persistent anxiety symptoms should consult a physician for evaluation and treatment options.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Each type of anxiety disorder focuses on a specific worry or root cause. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is often characterized as disproportionate worry over everyday tasks and makes it difficult to get through the day. GAD affects approximately 6.8 million adults in the United States, with women being twice as likely as men to be affected. This disorder can develop gradually from childhood/teenage years or into adulthood, with the average age on onset being 31 years old. GAD can be more or less severe at different times in a person’s life, and is often exacerbated in times of stress.

Other types of anxiety disorders include: 

• Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder (PD)

Risk Factors for GAD

Some risk factors for the development of GAD include:

• Female sex
• Poverty
• Chronic illness (both physical and mental)
• Loss of a parent
• Family history 
• Genetics
• Recent negative life events

Next: Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)