Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

You could be wondering if what you’re going through is more than “just stress” if you worry all the time about work, health, family, money, or things that haven’t even happened yet.

I often hear this question in my practice:
“Why can’t I stop worrying, even when nothing is wrong?”

A lot of people have generalized anxiety disorder, which is sometimes called GAD for short.

Let’s break this down clearly so you can understand what’s happening in your mind and body, and what actually helps.

What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

People with generalized anxiety disorder worry too much about many parts of their everyday lives all the time, and it’s hard to stop. GAD is different from regular worry that comes and goes based on real-life stressors. It is a long-term anxiety that lasts for at least six months and makes it hard for you to do everyday things. It is a certain kind of anxiety that affects about 6.8 million adults in the US, which is about 3.1% of the population.

In clinical settings, the abbreviation GAD is widely used, but here’s what it really means in real life:

• G – Generalized: The anxiety applies to many situations, not just one
• A – Anxiety: A constant sense of fear, dread, or nervous anticipation
• D – Disorder: It interferes with daily functioning, relationships, sleep, and peace of mind

If worry feels like background noise that never quiets down, this may resonate.

Recognizing the Signs: What Does GAD Look Like?

I’ve discovered at the Wellness Institute of Southern Nevada that generalized anxiety disorder looks different in each person, but there are some things I always check for:

Mental and Emotional Symptoms:

• Constant, excessive worry about everyday things like health, work, finances, or family
• Difficulty controlling worrying thoughts – they seem to have a mind of their own
• Anticipating the worst in most situations, even when there’s little reason to
• Feeling overwhelmed by decision-making, even about small choices
• Difficulty concentrating because anxious thoughts keep intruding
• Restlessness or feeling on edge most of the time

Physical Symptoms:

• Muscle tension – many of my patients describe feeling like they’re constantly braced for impact.
• Fatigue despite adequate sleep
• Sleep disturbances – difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restful sleep
• Headaches or jaw pain from clenching
• Digestive issues, including stomach upset or irritable bowel symptoms
• Trembling or feeling shaky
• Rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath

What I find most interesting about GAD is how tiring it is for the people who have it. One patient said it was like “running a mental marathon every day with no end in sight.” Being hypervigilant and worried all the time is quite hard on you.

What Causes Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

There is no single cause—and that’s important to understand.

1. Biological Factors

Genetics may have something to do with it, according to research. Your risk may be higher if people in your family have anxiety. It also influences how the brain works, especially when it comes to serotonin and dopamine.

2. Environmental Stressors

Long-term stress, such as pressure at work, money problems, taking care of someone else, or trauma, can slowly put the nervous system in a state of constant alert.

3. Life Experiences

Being unstable as a child, having a long-term sickness, or going through a lot of mental stress can make you more vulnerable. GAD usually becomes worse over time, which is why many people don’t understand what’s going on until the symptoms get worse.

When patients ask me what causes GAD disorder, I tell them that it’s not their fault. It’s a nervous system that has trained to stay on high alert.

How I Diagnose GAD in My Practice

When someone asks me if they might have generalized anxiety disorder, I fully look at them:

Clinical Interview: I take the time to thoroughly listen to what you’ve been through, including when the worry started, what you worry about, how it impacts your everyday life, and what you’ve done to try to deal with it.

Diagnostic Criteria: According to the DSM-5-TR, which is the diagnostic manual that mental health professionals use, generalized anxiety disorder occurs when someone is excessively anxious and worried about more than one thing for at least six months.

Assessment Tools: I typically use validated questionnaires like the GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) to check how bad the symptoms are and how they change over time.

Medical Evaluation: It’s important to rule out physical problems that can look like anxiety, like heart difficulties, thyroid problems, or the side effects of some drugs or substances.

Comprehensive History: I look at the whole picture, including your sleep patterns, nutrition, substance usage, stressors in your life, trauma history, and family mental health history.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment Options

The good news? GAD is highly treatable.

Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the best way to treat GAD. It helps you find the mental patterns that make you anxious and teaches you how to control your nervous system.

Depending on the person, other types of therapy, like psychodynamic and mindfulness-based therapies, may also be helpful.

Medication

Some people need medication support, especially when their anxiety is very bad or has been going on for a long time.

Common options include:

• SSRIs and SNRIs
• Buspirone
• Short-term medications for acute relief (used cautiously)

Treatment is always individualized. What works for one person may not be right for another.

Living Well With GAD: What You Can Do Starting Today

While professional treatment is important, there are steps you can take right now to manage generalized anxiety disorder:

Use the “worry postponement” method: when you start to worry during the day, write it down and set aside a specified time to deal with it later.

Question catastrophic thinking by asking yourself, “What proof do I have?” “What’s most likely to happen, not just what’s worst?”

Focus on what you can control – redirect energy from uncontrollable worries to actionable steps you can take.

Make a network of people who can help you. Being alone makes anxiety worse. Talk to trusted friends, relatives, or support groups on a regular basis.

Limit things that make you anxious, such as caffeine, too much news, and social media.

Set up routines: Having a set daily pattern might help ease the tension that comes from not knowing what’s going to happen.

Take the Next Step Toward Calm With Dr. Shahrnaz Mashkoor

You don’t have to worry all the time if you have generalized anxiety disorder. At the Wellness Institute of Southern Nevada, I provide compassionate, evidence-based, and holistic psychiatric therapy to help adults go past just surviving and start feeling grounded, rested, and in charge again. If you see yourself in these signs, seeking out can be the first step toward feeling better. You have every right to feel stable, supported, and at ease in your own life, and I would be happy to help you get there.

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