Generalized Anxiety Disorder is one of the most common anxiety disorders, affecting millions of people each year. In the United States, approximately 3% of adults experience GAD in a given year, and an estimated 6% of people will develop the disorder at some point during their lifetime. Although it can occur at any age, GAD often begins in adolescence or early adulthood, though many people report that they have “always been worriers.”

GAD is diagnosed about twice as often in women as in men, although men may be less likely to seek treatment or recognize that excessive worry is a treatable mental health condition. The disorder often develops gradually rather than appearing suddenly, making it easy for people to mistake chronic worry for a personality trait rather than a treatable condition.

GAD often occurs together with other mental health conditions. Many individuals with GAD also experience depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, or other anxiety disorders. Because excessive worry can become so familiar over time, many people wait years before seeking help. Fortunately, GAD is highly treatable, and many people experience significant improvement with evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and, in some cases, medication.