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    • Mental and behavioural disorders account for 19% of the global burden of disease - WHO
    • It is estimated that nearly 450 million people suffer from a mental or behavioural disorder in the world - WHO
    • Nearly 10% of total population suffers from these disorders - WHO
    • Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
    • Nearly 1% of the Indian population suffer from serious mental & behavioural disorders and 10% from moderate disorders, requiring psychiatric help.
    • By 2020 mental depression will be largest cause of disabilty worldwide and by 2025 it may overtake heart diseases as the biggest health concern - WHO
    • About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14 - WHO
    • Around 20% of the world's children and adolescents are estimated to have mental disorders or problems - WHO
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GAD

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Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common anxiety disorder that involves chronic worrying, nervousness, and tension. If you have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) you may worry about the same things that other people do: health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work. But you take these worries to a new level.

The difference between “normal” worrying and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is that the worrying involved in GAD is: excessive, intrusive, persistent, debilitating GAD is caused by a combination of factors:-

  • Person’s genes
  • Biochemical imbalance
  • Personal experience
  • Psychological factors

Symptoms

Emotional symptoms of GAD: Constant worries running through your head, Feeling like your anxiety is uncontrollable, Intrusive thoughts about things that make you anxious, an inability to tolerate uncertainty, pervasive apprehension or dread.

Behavioural symptoms of GAD: Inability to relax, Difficulty concentrating or focusing on things, putting things off because you feel overwhelmed, Avoiding situations that make you anxious.

Physical symptoms of GAD: Feeling tense, having muscle tightness or body aches, having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because your mind won’t quit Feeling edgy, restless, or jumpy, Stomach problems, nausea and diarrhoea.

GAD affects all age group including children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. GAD affects people irrespective of cultures, races and social classes.

Treatment options

The treatment options for GAD include:

  • Medicine
  • Counselling and psychosocial management
  • Family education, support and intervention.