Try to seek professional help before your anxiety becomes severe — it may be easier to treat early on. Worries can shift from one concern to another and may change with time and age. Making lifestyle changes, learning coping skills and using relaxation techniques also can help. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. Generalized anxiety disorder often occurs along with other mental health problems, which can make diagnosis and treatment more challenging.Sometimes anxiety can be a side effect of certain medications.However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations.Living with generalized anxiety disorder can be a long-term challenge.There may be times when your worries don't completely consume you, but you still feel anxious even when there's no apparent reason.It's possible to develop generalized anxiety disorder as a child or an adult.Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. Mayo Clinic Press Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary. In most cases, generalized anxiety disorder improves with psychotherapy or medications. Living with generalized anxiety disorder can be a long-term challenge. It's possible to develop generalized anxiety disorder as a child or an adult. In some cases, anxiety signs and symptoms are the first indicators of a medical illness.It's normal to feel anxious from time to time, especially if your life is stressful.Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder.The causes of anxiety disorders aren't fully understood.Worries can shift from one concern to another and may change with time and age.However, excessive, ongoing anxiety and worry that are difficult to control and interfere with day-to-day activities may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder. News from Mayo Clinic The causes of anxiety disorders aren't fully understood.In some cases, anxiety signs and symptoms are the first indicators of a medical illness.Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder.However, excessive, ongoing anxiety and worry that are difficult to control and interfere with day-to-day activities may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder.To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you.For example, you may feel intense worry about your safety or that of your loved ones, or you may have a general sense that something bad is about to happen.Life experiences such as traumatic events appear to trigger anxiety disorders in people who are already prone to anxiety.Having an anxiety disorder does more than make you worry. For example, you may feel intense worry about your safety or that of your loved ones, or you may have a general sense that something bad is about to happen. In many cases, it occurs along with other anxiety or mood disorders. Sometimes anxiety can be a side effect of certain medications. For some people, anxiety may be linked to an underlying health issue. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. Medical causes Having an anxiety disorder does more than make you worry. If your doctor suspects your anxiety may have a medical cause, he or she may order tests to look for signs of a problem. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment. Your worries are unlikely to simply go away on their own, and they may actually get worse over time. Symptoms You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations.We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested.If your doctor suspects your anxiety may have a medical cause, he or she may order tests to look for signs of a problem.Whatever form of anxiety you have, treatment can help.See your doctor or a mental health provider before your anxiety gets worse.The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening children and teens ages 8 to 18 for anxiety.Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment.For some people, anxiety may be linked to an underlying health issue.In many cases, it occurs along with other anxiety or mood disorders. We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. This screening is for those who don't have a diagnosis of anxiety disorder. Your worries may not go away on their own, and they may get worse over time if you don't seek help. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. Follow Mayo Clinic Sometimes anxiety can be a side effect of certain medications.Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life.It's possible to develop generalized anxiety disorder as a child or an adult.Women are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder somewhat more often than men are.Your anxiety, worry or physical symptoms cause you significant distress in social, work or other areas of your life.Living with generalized anxiety disorder can be a long-term challenge.You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings.There may be times when your worries don't completely consume you, but you still feel anxious even when there's no apparent reason. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. It's important because many children and teens have high levels of anxiety but they may not show it. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening children and teens ages 8 to 18 for anxiety. Whatever form of anxiety you have, treatment can help. In some cases, anxiety signs and symptoms are the first indicators of a medical illness. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). Generalized anxiety disorder often occurs along with other mental health problems, which can make diagnosis and treatment more challenging. There may be times when your worries don't completely consume you, but you still feel anxious even when there's no apparent reason. Generalized anxiety disorder has symptoms that are similar to panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other types of anxiety, but they're all different conditions. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening children and teens ages 8 to 18 for anxiety.See your doctor or a mental health provider before your anxiety gets worse.For some people, anxiety may be linked to an underlying health issue.In most cases, generalized anxiety disorder improves with psychotherapy or medications.We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested.In many cases, it occurs along with other anxiety or mood disorders. Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Your anxiety, worry or physical symptoms cause you significant distress in social, work or other areas of your life. However, excessive, ongoing anxiety and worry that are difficult to control and interfere with day-to-day activities may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder. About Mayo Clinic Your worries may not go away on their own, and they may get worse over time if you don't seek help.Life experiences such as traumatic events appear to trigger anxiety disorders in people who are already prone to anxiety.Your worries are unlikely to simply go away on their own, and they may actually get worse over time.Having an anxiety disorder does more than make you worry.Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).You can have more than one anxiety disorder.Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary.Making lifestyle changes, learning coping skills and using relaxation techniques also can help. It's normal to feel anxious from time to time, especially if your life is stressful. Life experiences such as traumatic events appear to trigger anxiety disorders in people who are already prone to anxiety. The causes of anxiety disorders aren't fully understood. See your doctor or a mental health provider before your anxiety gets worse. Women are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder somewhat more often than men are.