Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Adults: What to Know

What are the causes?

The exact cause of GAD isn't known, but it happens because of how your brain works.

What increases the risk?

You may be more likely to have GAD if:

• You've gone through very stressful times in your life.

• You face a lot of stress at home.

• Someone else in your family has anxiety or depression.

• You have a shy or nervous personality.

What are the signs or symptoms?

If you have GAD, you may:

• Worry a lot about many things, such as:

  • Work.

  • Money.

  • Health.

  • Family.

• Get scared easily or feel jumpy.

• Feel nervous.

• Feel cranky or grumpy.

• Have trouble focusing or feel like your mind goes blank.

You may also:

• Get tired easily.

• Have trouble sleeping.

• Sweat a lot.

• Shake or twitch.

• Have headaches.

• Have stomach problems.

• Have tight or sore muscles.

How is this diagnosed?

You may be diagnosed based on your symptoms and an exam. Your health care provider may also:

• Do tests, such as blood tests. These can check for other problems that could be causing your symptoms.

• Ask about:

  • Your medical and mental health history.

  • Your family's medical and mental health histories.

  • Any substances you use or have used in the past.

How is this treated?

GAD may be treated with:

• Medicine.

• Talk therapy.

• Both talk therapy and medicine.

Follow these instructions at home:

Lifestyle

• Get enough good sleep each night.

• Eat healthy.

• Drink enough water.

• Spend time with friends and family.

• Make a plan for things that may be hard or stressful.

Activity

• Spend time in nature or watch nature videos.

• Try to keep the same routine each day.

• Try to change negative thoughts to positive ones.

• Do things that help you feel calm, such as:

  • Meditating.

  • Relaxing your muscles.

  • Deep breathing.

  • Coloring or drawing.

• Do things you like or that are fun for you, such as:

  • Reading.

  • Listening to music.

• Move your body. You could:

  • Take a short walk each day.

  • Do yoga.

General instructions

• Take your medicines only as told.

• Ask which medicines you should avoid.

Where to find support

For support, you can reach out to:

• Your provider.

• A mental health specialist, such as a therapist or counselor.

Where to find more information

To learn more, go to:

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at nami.org.

• The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at nimh.nih.gov.

  1. Click on the magnifying glass and type "help for mental illnesses."

  2. Find the link you need.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms don't get better.

• Your symptoms get worse.

• You have new symptoms.

Get help right away if:

• You feel like you may hurt yourself or others.

• You have thoughts about taking your own life.

• You have other thoughts or feelings that worry you.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Take one of these steps right away:

• Go to your nearest emergency room.

• Call 911.

• Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free and confidential):

  • Call or text 988.

  • Chat online at chat.988lifeline.org.

• For Veterans and their loved ones:

  • Call 988 and press 1.

  • Text the Veterans Crisis Line at 838255.

  • Chat online at veteranscrisisline.net.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

Document Revised: 10/13/2025 Document Reviewed: 10/13/2025

Elsevier Patient Education © 2025 Elsevier Inc.