Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) In Teens
Julie makes straight As in school, plays violin in her school orchestra, is yearbook editor, and is a leading member of the track team. But she worries constantly that she might fail the next test, no matter if it’s in calculus, where she has a 99 average, or PE, where the teacher automatically gives As to all students who participate in a team sport. Julie’s social life is almost non-existent, because she doesn’t believe she can take time from her studies and other activities to relax.
As with Julie, the adolescent experiencing GAD exhibits constant worry about a number of events or activities for at least 6 months, and finds it extremely difficult or impossible to control the worry. The worries may be about normal, routine life matters. Adolescents will often worry about friendships, social situations, academic competence, and getting into the right college. The worries interfere to some degree with normal functioning, and are likely to be accompanied by physical symptoms, but symptoms that are less severe than those associated with PTSD. Some individuals may express generalized anxiety through body symptoms, while others will experience primarily mental symptoms. In addition to constant worry, several or all of the following are experienced:
- Restlessness
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Muscle tension (twitching, trembling, muscle soreness, feeling shaky)
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sweating, nausea, diarrhea
- Accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness
- Easily startled
- Depression
GAD affects approximately 3.1% of individuals in the US. Women and girls are twice as likely to be affected as men and boys.
