In short
Generalised anxiety disorder is persistent, hard-to-control worry about many different things, on most days, for 6 months or more. It comes with physical symptoms such as muscle tension, poor sleep and tiredness. About 3.8 per cent of Australians have it in a given year. Cognitive behavioural therapy is the first-line treatment and its benefits last. Antidepressant medicines are an option when symptoms are severe.
On this page
What is generalised anxiety disorder?
Generalised anxiety disorder, or GAD, is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person worries persistently, in a way that affects daily life on an ongoing basis.1
Other anxiety disorders are tied to particular situations or triggers. In GAD the worry is there most of the time and attaches to many different things: health, money, work, family, small everyday matters.1
Symptoms
You may have GAD if:1
- You worry uncontrollably about many different things
- The worry makes it hard to do everyday things such as working and seeing friends
- You are often tired but cannot sleep properly
- You feel tense, or your jaw or back is sore from muscle tension
- You have trouble concentrating
- You are irritable or restless
A doctor or mental health professional may diagnose GAD when symptoms like these have lasted 6 months or more.1
Want to talk it through?
Talk it through with an Australian doctor online. No referral needed.
How common is it?
In the Australian Bureau of Statistics national study, 3.8 per cent of people aged 16 to 85 had generalised anxiety disorder in the previous 12 months.2
An international comparison covering 147,261 adults found it is most common in high-income countries, where about 5 per cent of people have it at some point in their lives. It typically begins in adulthood and persists. Eight in ten people with GAD also have another mental health condition at some stage, most often depression or another anxiety disorder.3
What causes it?
A mix of individual and environmental factors. A family history of anxiety and stressful life events both play a part.1
GAD or ordinary worry?
| Ordinary worry | Generalised anxiety disorder | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is about | A specific problem | Many different things1 |
| Control | You can set it aside | Hard to control1 |
| How long | Passes when the problem does | Most days, for 6 months or more1 |
| Effect | Unpleasant but manageable | Gets in the way of work, sleep and relationships1 |
Treatment
There are effective treatments. They will not remove worry altogether, because some worry is a normal part of life, but they can bring it down to a level you can manage.1
Psychological therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the best-supported treatment. A 2024 analysis of 65 trials with 5,048 participants found that CBT reduced GAD symptoms and that its benefits held up in the long term. The authors concluded it may represent the first-line therapy.4
Newer forms of CBT that draw on mindfulness and acceptance were also effective in the short term, as was relaxation therapy, although the evidence for relaxation was weaker.4
Online therapy
Online programs are a recognised option. MindSpot runs 8-week online CBT courses for anxiety and depression.1
Medicines
Antidepressant medicines may be used if symptoms are severe.1 An analysis of 89 trials with 25,441 patients found several effective medicines across different classes, and concluded that if the first one does not work, it is reasonable to try another.5
What you can do yourself
- Keep active. An analysis of 15 trials found that aerobic exercise reduced anxiety compared with no treatment6
- Protect your sleep. See our guide to insomnia
- Cut back on caffeine, which can increase anxiety and disturb sleep7
- Try slow breathing or relaxation exercises. See how to calm anxiety
- If your mind runs on a loop at night, see how to stop overthinking
When to see a doctor
If worry is affecting your daily life, speak to your doctor. They can help with a mental health care plan and refer you to a mental health professional if needed.1
- The worry has gone on for months
- It is affecting your sleep, work or relationships
- You have physical symptoms you are not sure about, such as chest pain or a racing heart
- You are using alcohol or other drugs to cope
If you are in crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Beyond Blue offers phone counselling on 1300 22 4636.1 In an emergency, call 000.
See also anxiety symptoms, social anxiety, health anxiety and high-functioning anxiety.
Next step: talk to a doctor
Answer a few quick questions and you’ll get an email about your eligibility. A consultation doesn’t guarantee any particular treatment.
References
- healthdirect. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020–2022.
- Ruscio AM, Hallion LS, Lim CCW, et al. Cross-sectional Comparison of the Epidemiology of DSM-5 Generalized Anxiety Disorder Across the Globe. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017;74(5):465-475.
- Papola D, Miguel C, Mazzaglia M, et al. Psychotherapies for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. JAMA Psychiatry. 2024;81(3):250-259.
- Slee A, Nazareth I, Bondaronek P, et al. Pharmacological treatments for generalised anxiety disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet. 2019;393(10173):768-777.
- Aylett E, Small N, Bower P. Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):559.
- healthdirect. Anxiety.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.