Generalised anxiety disorder

The major characteristic of generalised anxiety disorder is overwhelming, unfounded, uncontrolled anxiety and worry about things that may go wrong or a person's inability to cope. People may worry excessively about issues relating to health, family or money for little apparent reason.

Given the overwhelming and all consuming nature of the disorder, generalised anxiety disorder can have a severe impact on all aspects of a person's life, including employment. The disorder can persist for years.

Symptoms and characteristics

Typical symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder include:

• excessive, uncontrolled anxiety and worry
• mind racing or going blank
• decreased concentration and memory
• indecisiveness, irritability, impatience, anger or confusion
• restlessness, feeling 'on edge' or nervousness
• rapid or irregular heart beat and rapid breathing
• sweating
• dry mouth or difficulty swallowing
• trembling or shaking
• chest pain or discomfort
• headaches

Statistics

3.1 per cent of Australian adults experience generalised anxiety disorder which represents 3.7 per cent of the female population and 2.4 per cent of the male population (Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Mental Health Council Inc. and ORYGEN Research Centre 2006).

Workplace solutions and adjustments

There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:

• concentrating
• dealing with stress and psychological demands
• managing emotions at work
• problem solving and decision making

References

Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Mental Health Council Inc. & Kitchener, B., A. & Jorm, A., F. at ORYGEN Research Centre, University of Melbourne 2006, Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace—an e-learning course, Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Canberra.

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• Anxiety