Causes of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

By Lawrence Rodrigues

Over 4 million adult Americans are affected with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) annually. GAD is a condition wherein an individual feels overly worried or anxious. It is normal for people to worry given certain situations, but for people who have GAD, their anxiety level would be high even in normal situations.

GAD sufferers are unable to refrain from worrying about common situations and may be disturbed about work and school duties, money matters and family affairs. People afflicted with an anxiety disorder are normally stressed and depressed and may avoid social interactions.

The root cause of this disorder is still unknown to us. Based on doctors and researchers work however, there seems to be several factors that play a role in the development of generalized anxiety disorder. Number one on their list is heredity. It seems that an individual is more likely to suffer from GAD if his or her parents were constant "worriers".

Environmental factors can also be a cause of anxiety disorders. Stressful events such as abuse, divorce, moving, changing jobs or losing a loved one can trigger real fear, dread and anxiety, but this can worsen if it is left unaddressed. The person can get into the habit of feeling difficult feelings all over again whenever they are stressed, and this can perpetuate the cycle of anxiety. MedicineNet.com reports that many people turn to food, nicotine or caffeine to manage their feelings, but this often makes the situation worse.

Lastly, brain chemicals may be another factor in the development of GAD. Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain had been correlated with anxiety disorders. Neurotransmitters are responsible for sending and receiving of information in the brain and a high level of it is speculated to somehow confuse our brain's perception. If this happens, a person who experiences slight stress would start to feel intense fear because the brain is sending the wrong signals to the body.

Brain chemicals can be balanced by following a specific diet and developing a healthy lifestyle. In rare cases, medication or natural supplements may be prescribed. Just remember that GAD is common and women are more likely to experience its symptoms than men.

Genes and past experiences may not be altered but we can still control our lifestyle to lessen the effects of anxiety disorders. We can choose to have a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, get plenty of rest and deal with stress in a healthy way to prevent feelings of anxiety and worry. Lifestyle and behavior modification may be the most effective method to stop the symptoms of GAD from interfering with the daily live of millions of people.

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