Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

by Amy Scholten, MPH

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can affect both adults and children. It can cause both emotional and physical symptoms. People may not be aware that physical symptoms are linked to anxiety.

Emotional symptoms of GAD include:

Excessive ongoing worrying, even when there are no signs of trouble
Unable to relax
Hard time concentrating, mind going “blank”
Feeling tense, edgy, or jumpy
Irritability or restlessness
Problems sleeping

Physical symptoms may include:

Headaches
Fatigue
Trembling
Muscle tension
Sweating
Lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Chest pain
Numbness or tingling
Frequent urination in adults and bedwetting in children
Aches and pains
Gastrointestinal discomfort, including diarrhea, heartburn, and flatulence
Dry mouth
Cold, clammy hands
Difficulty swallowing
Racing heart

References:

Anxiety disorders. National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml. Accessed January 13, 2020.

Generalized anxiety disorder. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/generalized-anxiety-disorder. Accessed January 13, 2020.

Last reviewed May 2020 by Adrian Preda, MD
Last Updated: 7/29/2020

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