Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety disorders each year, often in conjunction with other conditions such as alcohol abuse. The National Institute of Mental Health defines anxiety disorder as a state of uncertainty and fearfulness that persists for a minimum of six months. In particular, generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD for short, may cause individuals to excessively worry about everything from health to the mundane details of everyday life. Many GAD sufferers realize they are over-worrying but still are unable to stop. Physical symptoms related to GAD include fatigue, muscle tension and shortness of breath. Treatment for GAD involves a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants and/or antianxiety drugs.
Stress
The American College of Nurse Practitioners explains that there is a strong relationship between stress and stress-related events and anxiety. Although stress can be a normal, healthy process, inability to adapt to a stressful situation can cause anxiety. Even the feeling of being unable to cope with a stressful situation that may not have occurred yet can cause anxiety. Some examples of environmental factors that can lead to prolonged anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder include major life changes, uncertainty about the future and fear of aging or dying. Also, individuals who experience traumatic life events that are out-of-the-norm can remain in an anxious state for years after. Stressful experiences during childhood, such as bullying and peer pressure, can predispose an individual to anxiety disorders.
Biology
Scientists have pinpointed certain areas of the brain that play significant roles in anxiety. One area, called the amygdala, coordinates how the brain responds to stress. Incoming information from the senses--for example, a loud noise--is transferred by the amygdala to brain areas that process what the noise means. Essentially, the amygdala acts as a megaphone notifying the brain of potential danger. Another area, called the hippocampus, creates memories out of events that have threatened an individual in the past. Traumatic events and stress can disrupt the functioning of these brain areas resulting in prolonged anxiety. The American College of Nurse Practitioners mentions research that shows individuals who have suffered abuse or served in combat have a smaller hippocampus.
Genetics
Studies of identical twins and families demonstrate that there are also genes involved in the development of generalized anxiety disorder. This is especially true when the family member with the disorder is a parent or sibling. Certain genes may predispose individuals to developing the disorder in response to environmental factors like trauma. Or specific gene mutations may result in chemical changes in the brain that damage an individual's ability to cope with normal stressors.
