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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffThings that may increase your risk of developing generalized anxiety disorder include:
- Being female. More than twice as many women as men are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.
- Childhood adversity. Children who endured abuse or trauma, including witnessing traumatic events, are at higher risk of developing generalized anxiety disorder at some point in life.
- Illness. Having a chronic health condition or serious illness such as cancer can cause significant worry about the future, your treatment and your finances.
- Stress. A big event or a buildup of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety.
- Personality. People with some personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than are others. In addition, some personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, also may be linked to generalized anxiety disorder.
- Genetics. Generalized anxiety disorder may run in families.
- Substance use. Drug or alcohol abuse can worsen generalized anxiety disorder. Caffeine and nicotine also may have an effect on anxiety.
References
- Generalized anxiety disorder (includes overanxious anxiety disorder of childhood). In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Aug. 13, 2009.
- Ciechanowski P, et al. Overview of generalized anxiety disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 13, 2009.
- McGregor JC. Anxiety disorders. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier. 2008, 60th ed. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/154207005-3/0/1621/552.html?tocnode=54637790&fromURL=552.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50280-6_4453. Accessed Aug. 13, 2009.
- Lee RA. Anxiety disorders. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/154207005-3/0/1494/57.html?tocnode=54111716&fromURL=57.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50014-4_229. Accessed Aug. 13, 2009.
