Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a serious mental health condition that exceeds the boundaries of normal worry and fear. It becomes so overwhelming that carrying on with normal daily activities becomes difficult. It is a disorder affecting between 2 and 3 percent of people, including children and teens. While no specific cause is known, according to the Mayo Clinic there are a number of risk factors.
Heredity
The Mayo Clinic states that GAD may run in families. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that when one identical twin has the disorder, the other twin is more likely to suffer from it as well. This genetic link between twins seems to occur less frequently in non-identical twins. Penn State adds that GAD may be a learned disorder as well. Children who grow up in an environment where constant worrying and anxiety are presented as normal reactions to life are more prone to behave this way themselves.
Brain Chemicals
The brain relies on neurotransmitters to carry messages to the nerve cells. The neurotransmitters--or chemicals--involved are serotonin and dopamine. In some people the chemicals get the messages through, but receive no response. This causes an imbalance in the chemicals, resulting in the symptoms of anxiety.
The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that certain medications used to balance these chemicals also provide relief of anxiety symptoms, leading researchers to believe that chemical imbalance may be another cause of GAD.
Personality
Personality may play a large role in GAD, especially in those with a low self-esteem or those who have poor coping abilities, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Certain personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, may also be prone to GAD, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Childhood Events
Certain traumatic childhood events increase a person's risk for developing general anxiety disorder at some point in his life. This includes children who witness a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one, children who experience some type of abuse or children who suffer through poverty.
Gender
Being a female places you at higher risk for developing GAD. Penn State explains that women are twice as likely as men to experience this disorder.
Illness
Having a chronic (ongoing) illness such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease can cause you to worry about your health, your financial situation or your family if something should happen to you. By the same token, constant worrying and feelings of anxiety can cause your condition to become worse and may even result in other health conditions, such as high blood pressure.
