GAD is defined as at least 6 months of excessive worry about everyday issues that is disproportionate to any inherent risk, causing distress or impairment

• Not the result of another mental health disorder, substance misuse or a physical health condition
• important alternative causes include hyperthyroidism, cardiac disease and medication-induced anxiety

Epidemiology:

• More common in higher income countries
• More commonly diagnosed in females
• Higher prevalence of GAD during pregnancy
• Higher pravelence in people with chronic physical health conditions - cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, diabetes, PCOS

Pathophysiology

• Anxiety is associated with reduced GABA levels
• GABA has an inhibitory effect on the brain and reduces neuronal excitability - the reduced inhibitory effect in the brain allows neurones to fire at an increased rate

Risk factors:

• Family Hx of anxiety
• physical or emotional stress
• history of physical, sexual or emotional trauma
• other anxiety disorder
• chronic physical health condition