Psynapse Clinic

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a pervasive and chronic mental health condition marked by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various everyday situations, rather than specific triggers. This persistent apprehension, often described as feeling “on edge” or having a sense of impending doom, lasts for at least six months and significantly impacts daily functioning.

Physical symptoms accompanying the psychological distress include restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. Unlike specific anxieties, GAD’s concerns are broad, encompassing mundane worries about work, health, or finances, disproportionate to the actual likelihood or impact of negative events.

The etiology is multifactorial, involving genetic predispositions, neurobiological imbalances, and environmental stressors. GAD frequently co-occurs with other anxiety disorders or depression.

• Effective management typically combines psychotherapy, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to reframe anxious thoughts, with pharmacological interventions like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications.
• Lifestyle modifications, including regular exercise and stress-reduction techniques, also play a crucial role in alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life.