Symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder

List of symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder:

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Generalized anxiety disorder includes the 26 symptoms listed below:

• Mental symptoms
  • Anxiety
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Startling easily
  • Awareness that anxiety is inappropriate - patients know they are excessively anxious but cannot stop it
  • Depression - in some cases
• Sleeping problems
  • Trouble falling asleep
  • Trouble staying asleep
• Physical symptoms
  • Lightheadedness
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Pounding heartbeat
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Muscle tension
  • Muscle aches
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Lump in the throat feeling
  • Trembling
  • Twitching
  • Sweating
  • Hot flashes
  • Nausea
  • Frequent urination

Note that Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms usually refers to various symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Generalized anxiety disorder signs may refer to those signs only noticable by a doctor.

More ways to research these symptoms: To research other symptoms use the symptom center, or to research causes of more than one symptom in combination, try our multi-symptom search.

Research More About Generalized anxiety disorder

Do I have Generalized anxiety disorder?

• Generalized anxiety disorder: Introduction
• Generalized anxiety disorder: Diagnostic Testing to confirm diagnosis
• Home Diagnostic Testing
• Alternative diagnoses and misdiagnosis for Generalized anxiety disorder
• Treatments for Generalized anxiety disorder
• More about Generalized anxiety disorder

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical tests related to Generalized anxiety disorder:

• Mental Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Emotional Stress Tests

Wrongly Diagnosed with Generalized anxiety disorder?

The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Generalized anxiety disorder includes:

• Normal anxiety
• Physical medical disease - see causes of symptom anxiety
• Substance-induced anxiety disorder (type of Anxiety Disorders)
• Hypochondriasis
• Obessive-compulsive disorder

See the full list of 17 alternative diagnoses for Generalized anxiety disorder

More about symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder:

More information about symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder and related conditions:

• Other diseases with similar symptoms and common misdiagnoses
• Tests to determine if these are the symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder
• Associated conditions for Generalized anxiety disorder

Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms

Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions, or drug side effect causes of that symptom.

• Anxiety - see all causes of Anxiety
• Awareness that anxiety is inappropriate - see all causes of Anxiety
• Depression - see all causes of Depressive symptoms
• Difficulty swallowing - see all causes of Swallowing difficulty
• Fatigue - see all causes of Fatigue
• Frequent urination - see all causes of Frequent urination
• Headaches - see all causes of Headache
• Hot flashes - see all causes of Hot flashes
• Irritability - see all causes of Irritability
• Lightheadedness - see all causes of Dizziness
• Lump in the throat feeling - see all causes of Throat symptoms
• Mental symptoms - see all causes of Mental problems
• Muscle aches - see all causes of Muscle aches
• Muscle tension - see all causes of Muscle tension
• Nausea - see all causes of Nausea
• Physical symptoms
• Pounding heartbeat - see all causes of Pounding heartbeat
• Racing heartbeat - see all causes of Rapid heart beat
• Sleeping problems - see all causes of Sleeping problems
• Startling easily - see all causes of Startling
• Sweating - see all causes of Sweating
• Trembling - see all causes of Tremor symptoms
• Trouble concentrating - see all causes of Concentration difficulty
• Trouble falling asleep - see all causes of Insomnia
• Trouble staying asleep - see all causes of Insomnia
• Twitching - see all causes of Twitches

Medical Books Online about Generalized anxiety disorder

Medical Books Excerpts Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Generalized anxiety disorder are available from published medical books for more detailed information about Generalized anxiety disorder.

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

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Symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Generalized anxiety disorder can begin at any age but typically has an onset in the 20s and 30s. Psychological or physiologic symptoms of anxiety states vary with the degree of anxiety. Mild anxiety mainly causes psychological symptoms, with unusual self-awareness and alertness to the environment. Moderate anxiety leads to selective inattention but with the ability to concentrate on a single task. Severe anxiety causes an inability to concentrate on more than scattered details of a task. A panic state with acute anxiety causes a complete loss of concentration, typically with unintelligible speech.

Physical examination of the patient with generalized anxiety disorder may reveal signs or symptoms of motor tension, including trembling, muscle aches and spasms, headaches, and an inability to relax. Autonomic signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, tachycardia, sweating, and abdominal complaints.

In addition, the patient may startle easily and complain of feeling apprehensive, fearful, or angry. There may also be difficulty concentrating, eating, and sleeping. The medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial histories fail to identify a specific physical or environmental cause of the anxiety.

READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Major depression: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

The primary features of major depression are a predominantly sad mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. The patient may complain of feeling “down in the dumps,” express doubts about his self-worth or ability to cope, or simply appear unhappy and apathetic. He may also report feeling angry or anxious. Symptoms tend to be more severe than those caused by dysthymic disorder, which is a milder, chronic form of depression. (See Dysthymic disorder, page 456.) Other common signs include difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly, distractibility, and indecisiveness. All physiologic and psychologic processes are slowed. Anergia and fatigue are common as are anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure) and insomnia. Take special note if the patient reveals suicidal thoughts, a preoccupation with death, or previous suicide attempts.

The psychosocial history may reveal life problems or losses that can account for the depression. Alternatively, the patient’s medical history may implicate a physical disorder or the use of prescription, nonprescription, or illegal drugs that can cause depression.

The patient may report an increase or a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances (for example, insomnia or early awakening), a lack of interest in sexual activity, constipation, or diarrhea. Other signs that you may note during a physical examination include agitation (such as hand wringing or restlessness) and reduced psychomotor activity (for example, slowed speech).

READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Anxiety disorder, generalized: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

Generalized anxiety disorder can begin at any age but typically has an onset between ages 20 and 40. It’s equally common in men and women. Psychological or physiologic symptoms of anxiety states vary with the degree of anxiety. Mild anxiety mainly causes psychological symptoms, with unusual self-awareness and alertness to the environment. Moderate anxiety leads to selective inattention but with the ability to concentrate on a single task. Severe anxiety causes an inability to concentrate on more than scattered details of a task. A panic state with acute anxiety causes a complete loss of concentration, often with unintelligible speech.

Physical examination of the patient with generalized anxiety disorder may reveal symptoms of motor tension, including trembling, muscle aches and spasms, headaches, and an inability to relax. Autonomic signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, tachycardia, sweating, and abdominal complaints.

In addition, the patient may startle easily and complain of feeling apprehensive, fearful, or angry and of having difficulty concentrating, eating, and sleeping. The medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial histories fail to identify a specific physical or environmental cause of the anxiety.

READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Depression, major: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

The primary features of major depression are a predominantly sad mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. Symptoms tend to be more severe than those caused by dysthymic disorder, which is a milder, chronic form of depression. (See Dysthymic disorder: A chronic affective disorder.) 

The depressive patient may complain of feeling “down in the dumps,” express doubts about his self-worth or ability to cope, or simply appear unhappy and apathetic. He may also report feeling angry or anxious.

Other common signs include difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly, distractibility, and indecisiveness. Take special note if the patient reveals suicidal thoughts, a preoccupation with death, or previous suicide attempts.

The psychosocial history may reveal life problems or losses that can account for the depression. Alternatively, the patient’s medical history may implicate a physical disorder or the use of prescription, nonprescription, or illegal drugs that can cause depression.

The patient may report an increase or a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances (for example, insomnia or early awakening), a lack of interest in sexual activity, constipation, or diarrhea. Other signs that you may note during a physical examination include agitation (such as hand wringing or restlessness) and reduced psychomotor activity (for example, slowed speech).

READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Article Excerpts About Symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder:

Anxiety Disorders: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is much more than the normal anxiety people experience day to day. It's chronic and exaggerated worry and tension, even though nothing seems to provoke it. Having this disorder means always anticipating disaster, often worrying excessively about health, money, family, or work. Sometimes, though, the source of the worry is hard to pinpoint. Simply the thought of getting through the day provokes anxiety. People with GAD also seem unable to relax. They often have trouble falling or staying asleep. Their worries are accompanied by physical symptoms, especially trembling, twitching, muscle tension, headaches, irritability, sweating, or hot flashes. They may feel lightheaded or out of breath. They may feel nauseated or have to go to the bathroom frequently. Or they might feel as though they have a lump in the throat.

Many individuals with GAD startle more easily than other people. They tend to feel tired, have trouble concentrating, and sometimes suffer depression, too. Usually the impairment associated with GAD is mild and people with the disorder don't feel too restricted in social settings or on the job. Unlike many other anxiety disorders, people with GAD don't characteristically avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder. However, if severe, GAD can be very debilitating, making it difficult to carry out even the most ordinary daily activities. (Source: excerpt from Anxiety Disorders: NWHIC)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: NWHIC (Excerpt)

People with GAD can’t seem to shake their concerns even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. People with GAD also seem unable to relax. They often have trouble falling or staying asleep. Their worries are accompanied by physical symptoms, especially trembling, twitching, muscle tension, headaches, irritability, sweating, or hot flashes. They may feel lightheaded or out of breath. They may feel nauseated or have to go to the bathroom frequently. Or they might feel as though they have a lump in their throat.

Many individuals with GAD startle more easily than other people. They tend to feel tired, have trouble concentrating, and sometimes suffer from depression, too.

Usually, the impairment associated with GAD is mild and people with the disorder don’t feel too restricted in social settings or on the job. Unlike many other anxiety disorders, people with GAD don’t characteristically avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder. However, if severe, GAD can be very debilitating, making it difficult to do even the most ordinary daily tasks. (Source: excerpt from Generalized Anxiety Disorder: NWHIC)

Anxiety Disorders: NIMH (Excerpt)

"I always thought I was just a worrier. I'd feel keyed up and unable to relax. At times it would come and go, and at times it would be constant. It could go on for days. I'd worry about what I was going to fix for a dinner party, or what would be a great present for somebody. I just couldn't let something go.

"I'd have terrible sleeping problems. There were times I'd wake up wired in the middle of the night. I had trouble concentrating, even reading the newspaper or a novel. Sometimes I'd feel a little lightheaded. My heart would race or pound. And that would make me worry more. I was always imagining things were worse than they really were: when I got a stomachache, I'd think it was an ulcer.

"When my problems were at their worst, I'd miss work and feel just terrible about it. Then I worried that I'd lose my job. My life was miserable until I got treatment." (Source: excerpt from Anxiety Disorders: NIMH)

Anxiety Disorders: NIMH (Excerpt)

People with GAD can't seem to shake their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. Their worries are accompanied by physical symptoms, especially fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, and hot flashes. People with GAD may feel lightheaded or out of breath. They also may feel nauseated or have to go to the bathroom frequently.

Individuals with GAD seem unable to relax, and they may startle more easily than other people. They tend to have difficulty concentrating, too. Often, they have trouble falling or staying asleep.

Unlike people with several other anxiety disorders, people with GAD don't characteristically avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder. When impairment associated with GAD is mild, people with the disorder may be able to function in social settings or on the job. If severe, however, GAD can be very debilitating, making it difficult to carry out even the most ordinary daily activities. (Source: excerpt from Anxiety Disorders: NIMH)

Facts about Generalized Anxiety Disorder: NIMH (Excerpt)

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by 6 months or more of chronic, exaggerated worry and tension that is unfounded or much more severe than the normal anxiety most people experience. People with this disorder usually expect the worst; they worry excessively about money, health, family, or work, even when there are no signs of trouble. They are unable to relax and often suffer from insomnia. Many people with GAD also have physical symptoms, such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headaches, irritability or hot flashes. (Source: excerpt from Facts about Generalized Anxiety Disorder: NIMH)

Medical articles and books on symptoms:

These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:

• Diagnostic Testing for a Diagnosis of Generalized anxiety disorder
• Research Alternative Diagnoses for Generalized anxiety disorder
• More about Generalized anxiety disorder
• Online Diagnosis
• Self Diagnosis Pitfalls
• Pitfalls of Online Diagnosis
• Symptoms of the Silent Killer Diseases
• Lesser known silent killer diseases
• Books on signs and symptoms

Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

About signs and symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder:

The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder. This signs and symptoms information for Generalized anxiety disorder has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Generalized anxiety disorder signs or Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms.