DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Psychiatric Condition

Anxiety Disorders (Generalized)

MODERATE

A group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive fear, worry, and related behavioral disturbances. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) involves persistent, uncontrollable worry about everyday things. Most common mental health disorder.

Global Affected

301.0M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Excessive worry
Restlessness
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Muscle tension
Sleep disturbances
Racing thoughts
Physical symptoms (sweating, trembling)

Treatment Options

SSRIs (escitalopram, sertraline)
SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine)
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Buspirone
Benzodiazepines (short-term)
Hydroxyzine
Beta-blockers (performance)
Mindfulness-based therapy

Risk Factors

1Family history
2Childhood adversity
3Trauma
4Chronic stress
5Female gender (2x risk)
6Perfectionism
7Neuroticism
8Certain medical conditions
9Substance use

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Clinical interview (DSM-5)
  • 2GAD-7 screening tool
  • 3HAM-A scale
  • 4Exclusion of medical causes
  • 5Substance use screening
  • 6Physical examination

Prognosis

Highly treatable; 50-60% respond to first treatment. CBT has lasting benefits. 30-40% achieve remission. Recurrence common without maintenance treatment.

Prevention

  • Stress management techniques
  • Regular exercise
  • Good sleep hygiene
  • Mindfulness practice
  • Social connection
  • Early intervention
  • Avoiding substance use

Research Status

SSRIs and SNRIs first-line. CBT highly effective. Buspirone for GAD. Benzodiazepines for short-term use only. Digital therapeutics expanding access. Neuroimaging research identifying anxiety circuits. Ketamine for treatment-resistant anxiety.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.psychiatry.org
  • https://www.cdc.gov/
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.