Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition that causes you to worry a lot. The worry can feel out of your control. And you might have a hard time sleeping and feel irritable or on edge. Doctors diagnose GAD when your worrying happens on most days and for at least 6 months. GAD is one of the most common mental conditions in the U.S.

Worrying may be something you've become used to. You may think it's just how you are. Common worries include your health, money, family, or work. Everyone worries about these things once in a while. But if you are worrying a lot and can't control it, it can get in the way of living a normal life.

If you have GAD, you may also have another mental health condition such as depression.

The cause of generalized anxiety disorder is not known. Most experts believe that genetics or traumatic life events may be a cause. People who are naturally more worried, sensitive, or cautious, or who had stressful childhoods or very protective parents, may be more likely to develop it. Genes also play a role. These factors together make it easier for someone to worry a lot and feel anxious most of the time.

Sometimes the symptoms of GAD can happen as a side effect of a medicine or of substance use. It can also be linked to health conditions (such as hyperthyroidism) that increase hormones. This can make the body response more excitable. GAD can be triggered by family or environmental stress. Long-term (chronic) illness and disease can also trigger GAD.

If you have GAD, you likely know that your anxiety is more intense than the situation calls for. But you still can't stop the worry. Each person's symptoms may be a bit different. The symptoms of GAD may include:

• Worrying a lot
• Feeling unable to control the worry
• Feeling restless or on edge
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Tense muscles
• Grouchiness or irritability
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• Trouble focusing
• Trouble making decisions
• Inability to concentrate

The symptoms of GAD may seem like other mental health conditions. Always see your doctor for a diagnosis.

Your doctor or mental health provider diagnoses GAD. They can help figure out if your symptoms are linked to another problem. To be diagnosed with GAD, the symptoms happen on most days and last 6 months or longer.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Treatment may include:

• Medicine
• Counseling (cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy)
• Relaxation methods
• Working with a therapist to boost coping skills
• Making lifestyle changes (such as exercise) to reduce stress, staying away from stimulating substances, and getting help with quitting smoking or drug or alcohol use

If you have any symptoms of GAD, see your doctor.

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition where you worry a lot and feel like you can't control the worry.
• Doctors diagnose GAD when your worrying happens on most days and for at least 6 months.
• You may also feel restlessness, extreme tiredness (fatigue), trouble focusing, grouchiness, increased muscle tension, and trouble sleeping.
• Treatment may include medicine, counseling, relaxation methods, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
• If you have GAD, you may also have another mental health condition such as depression.
• Seeking professional care and treatment can decrease GAD symptoms and improve the quality of your life.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your doctor:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your doctor tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your doctor gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your doctor if you have questions, especially after office hours and on weekends and holidays.