Anxiety disorders affect a total of 40 million Americans and cost the country more than $42 billion a year, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
With this in mind, you probably know someone who is dealing with anxiety and is on some form of anti-anxiety medication to treat it.
I'll give you an overview of this common condition, its causes and treatments, while offering a few practical tips to keep you free from generalized anxiety disorder (also known as GAD).
General anxiety disorder manifests itself as prolonged worry and anxiety over normal events that can happen in each of our lives at any given time.
Some of these include stressing over money, health or work even when these life areas are free from any trouble.
This kind of anxiety usually lasts 6 months or more, and can get worse when a stressful event takes place, as it gives fuel to the anxiety.
There are numerous contributing factors to this condition, some of them being 1.
Genetics 2.
Brain Chemistry 3.
Sex (women are more likely to suffer from GAD than men) 4.
Stress 5.
Age While some of the above named predisposing factors can't be helped, there are a few resources that are available for an individual with GAD, which we'll look at later.
Let's take a look at a few warning signs that may alert you to the fact that you could be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder.

• Do you find yourself worrying excessively over things that can't be helped?
• Do you suffer from prolonged and frequent bouts of insomnia?
• Do you experience fatigue, muscle aches and unexplained lethargy?
• Do you always feel edgy and restless, and find it hard to relax?
• Do you have trouble concentrating?

These symptoms may just point to the fact that you or a loved one has generalized anxiety disorder.
However, there are numerous individuals who have the symptoms named above who don't have the condition, and it is important that you seek the advice of a qualified medical professional for an in-depth diagnosis.
Fear is a normal human emotion, and we all worry from time to time.
What makes generalized anxiety disorder different are a few factors that repeat themselves over time.
For example, is your fear or worry:

• Debilitating
• Excessive
• Persistent
• Intrusive

Let's take the example of a friend being late for a dinner hosted at our house.
You spoke to him twenty minutes ago, and are seated watching television, waiting for him to arrive.
All of a sudden, you see a news item about a pileup on a busy highway in the city.
Your mind starts to race, and you start to think, "what if he was involved in the accident? For all I know he could be seriously injured, or worse still, dead!" You continue to obsess, thrust into a panicked state until you hear the doorbell ring.
You open the door, and see your friend carrying a wine bottle and flowers.
If something like this has happened to you more than five times in the period of three months, you may be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, GAD affects 6.
8 million adults, or 3.
1% of the population at any given time of the year.
Most people with GAD feel isolated and powerless, and don't know where to start in terms of seeking help for this treatable condition.
Treatment usually takes a multi-pronged approach, and involves a combination of psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and medication.
Many people find hypnotherapy gives them the fastest relief of symptoms, and can create lasting change.
There are also a variety of support groups that you can check out and join in order to help you deal with GAD.
It's important to reach out to other people who share your experiences, as this helps in the healing process, and deals with the feelings of isolation.