Anxiety is a normal part of daily life. When anxiety becomes overwhelming and troubling to one's life it can lead to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). According to Comer (2014) generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive feelings of anxiety and worry about various events and activities in a person's life. The DSM -5 states that worry must persist for at least three months about two or more activities or events (APA, 2013). A person with GAD may worry or be anxious about a wide variety of topics including health, finances, safety, minor matters, etc. This person feels keyed up, restless, or on edge, has difficulty concentrating, disruptive sleep patterns, muscle tension, irritability, and fatigue (Rowa & Antony, 2008). .
Incidence & Prevalence.
Generalized anxiety disorder is prevalent in Western society. Research suggests that as many as 4% of the U.S. population have the symptoms of GAD in any given year and has a lifetime prevalence of 6.1% (Comer, 2014, p. 98). GAD usually occurs around childhood or adolescence but may also emerge at any age (Stein, 2013). Research finds that generalized anxiety disorder is the most prevalent disorder in adolescents and rates of occurrence are as high as 25.7% (Suveg, Jacob, & Thomassin, 2009). According to Bandelow, Boerner, Kasper, Linden, Wittchen, & Moller (2013) GAD is most often seen in individuals ages 45-59, with a lower peak in ages 30-44 and a decline after age 60. If untreated, GAD usually takes a chronic course, with most patients still suffering from its symptoms six to twelve years after the diagnosis is made and only two out of five affected persons find their way to appropriate treatment (Bandelow, et. al, 2013).
Gender, Race, & Ethnic Differences.
According to Comer (2014) women are twice as likely as men to develop GAD. Sex differences in GAD occur early on. In a report of anxiety in children, distinctions were made as early as 4 years of age; and by age 6; the rate in girls was double the rate in boys (Howell, Brawman-Mintzer, Monnier, & Yonkers, 2001).
