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Risk Factors for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.
It is possible to develop generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing GAD. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.
Risk factors for developing GAD include:
Sex
Women are diagnosed with GAD twice as often as men. Reasons for this include hormonal factors, cultural expectations, and more willingness to visit doctors and talk about their anxiety.
Family History
Anxiety disorders tend to run in families. This may be due to family dynamics, such as the failure to learn effective coping skills, overprotective behaviors, abuse, and violence.
Genetic Factor TOP
Approximately one-fourth of first-degree relatives will be affected.
Medical Conditions TOP
People with chronic illnesses have a greater risk of GAD.
Socioeconomic and Ethnic Factors TOP
Members of poor minority groups, particularly immigrants, tend to be at greater risk for developing GAD. This may be due to problems adjusting to a new culture, feelings of inferiority, alienation, and loss of strong family ties.
Depression TOP
Generalized anxiety disorder often occurs with depression, particularly major depression or chronic mild depression. Adolescents with depression seem particularly at risk for developing GAD in adulthood.
Cultural Factors TOP
Anxiety rates among children and adolescents have increased significantly since the 1950s. Both studies suggested that anxiety was related to lack of social connections and a sense of increased environmental threat.
Stressful Events in Susceptible People TOP
The initial appearance of GAD often follows a highly stressful event, such as the loss of a loved one, the loss of an important relationship, the loss of a job, or being a victim of a crime.
History of Self-Harm TOP
Adolescents who engage in self-harm by age 16 (with or without intent of suicide) are at a higher risk for a diagnosis of anxiety by young adulthood. Those with suicidal intent had a higher risk than those who did not.
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Last Updated: 5/20/2015
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