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Moderate severity
· Psychiatry
Anxiety
GAD · Persistent worry & restlessness
Persistent, hard-to-control worry about everyday matters, often with physical symptoms. Therapy plus medication works well — most people improve significantly.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Affects 1 in 6 Indians
- Typical age
- Late teens to 40s
- Outlook
- Highly treatable
- System
- Mind
Reviewed by a verified Psychiatry doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Genetic predisposition
- Chronic stress, trauma
- Thyroid imbalance
- Caffeine, alcohol
- Underlying depression
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Persistent worry
- Restlessness, fatigue
- Muscle tension, headaches
- Trouble sleeping
- Racing heart, dry mouth
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- CBT — gold standard
- SSRIs or SNRIs
- Short-term benzodiazepine (avoid long-term)
- Mindfulness, regular exercise
- Treat thyroid if abnormal
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Sleep hygiene
- Limit caffeine and alcohol
- Daily movement
- Build social connections
- Talk to a professional early
Do’s
- Practice 4-7-8 breathing
- Limit caffeine after noon
- Move 30 min daily
- Reach out — talk to someone
Don’ts
- Self-medicate with alcohol
- Avoid feared situations indefinitely
- Take benzodiazepines daily
- Compare your insides to others' highlight reels
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.