This type of anxiety disorder may be generalized, but it is still intense and one of the most difficult conditions to live with.  Whereas people with specific phobias can avoid the object of distress, people who suffer from GAD are surrounded by general things that easily stress and worry them to extreme levels.  This anxiety will often come about with little or nothing to provoke it. 

People affected by the disorder are often overly concerned with health problems, money, family issues or difficulty at work.  They anticipate the worse and generally cannot get through a simple day without excessive and unhealthy worrying. 

People who have a general anxiety disorder cannot just drop their concerns, and they cannot be forced to stop worrying.  They often do realize that they have some form of disorder even before an official diagnosis is made.  The diagnosis period is about six months before a doctor will conclude the anxiety level is beyond normal.

Physical symptoms are intense and very difficult to live with.  They may include an inability to relax, concentrate, insomnia, fatigue, headaches and muscle aches, trembling, irritability, nausea, shortness of breath and lightheadedness. 

Beyond physical symptoms, if you believe that you or someone you know may have GAD then pay attention to the emotional signs of distress beyond the physical.  It is when the anxiety reaches an extreme level that you should be concerned—when extreme anxiety starts to affect simple daily activities and makes life a painful chore. 

Over six million people suffer from GAD and it is not limited to age groups.  Children can develop this form of chronic anxiety, as it is evidenced that genetics plays a part in the spread of the disorder.  If it is not dealt with it can lead to other anxiety disorders or even problems with drug or alcohol abuse. 

A person with the disorder, especially one who does not realize they have a condition, might seek to escape the anxiety by indulging in some addictive behavior, such as alcohol abuse.  However, avoiding the anxiety is not the best way to cope with it.

Professional treatment is recommended for extreme cases of general anxiety disorder.  After a diagnosis, then either traditional medication is recommended or cognitive behavioral therapy.  Many people prefer psychotherapy instead of medication, though a chemical imbalance with symptoms of intense stress would merit medication, or maybe both forms of treatment. 

As stated, children can also develop this anxiety disorder.  It might be a mistake to assume that medication is the only way to treat this disorder.  This might either scare parents away from treatment or make them push their child to take potentially addictive drugs at a young age.  Talk to a pediatrician about psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder in children before assuming the worst and not getting the help your child need.

Adults should likewise be careful not minimize the danger of general anxiety disorder.  Stress kills and so chronic anxiety can only make things worse as you grow older.  Confronting the source of the anxiety is an effective treatment and should not be dismissed for an fast but temporary fix.