Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition involving persistent, excessive worry about a range of everyday matters that is difficult to control and interferes with daily life, occurring on most days over an extended period.

• Excessive worry about various aspects of daily life — such as work, health, or relationships — that feels difficult to control
• Restlessness or feeling on edge
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or the mind going blank
• Muscle tension
• Sleep disturbance, such as trouble falling or staying asleep

• Believed to result from a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors, including life stress and past experiences.
• Can occur alongside other mental health conditions, such as depression, and is more common in people with a family history of anxiety disorders.
• Certain substances, including excess caffeine, can contribute to or worsen symptoms.

• Diagnosed clinically based on a history of excessive, hard-to-control worry occurring on most days for at least six months, together with associated physical and cognitive symptoms that affect daily functioning.
• Physical causes of similar symptoms, such as thyroid problems, are considered and excluded where relevant.
• Screening for other conditions, such as depression, is often carried out alongside assessment, as they frequently occur together.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective, well-established first-line treatment, helping people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and worry cycles.

For moderate to severe symptoms, or when therapy access is limited, an antidepressant medicine (commonly an SSRI) may be used, alongside or instead of therapy, and is generally continued for a period even after symptoms improve to reduce relapse risk.

Relaxation techniques, regular physical activity, and reducing caffeine intake can help reduce overall anxiety levels as part of a broader management plan.

Anyone experiencing thoughts of self-harm alongside anxiety symptoms should seek urgent support, as this requires prompt assessment beyond routine anxiety management.

• Practise regular relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness exercises.
• Maintain regular physical activity, which has a well-documented positive effect on anxiety symptoms.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol intake, both of which can worsen anxiety.
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule, as poor sleep can worsen anxiety symptoms.
• Seek support early from a health worker or counsellor rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.