Main symptoms
- •Uncontrollable excessive worry on several topics
- •Muscle tension (neck, shoulders)
- •Chronic fatigue
- •Insomnia
- •Irritability
- •Difficulty concentrating
- •Palpitations, tremors
- •Digestive disturbances (irritable bowel)
Risk factors
- ⚠️ Family history (30-40% heritability)
- ⚠️ Female sex
- ⚠️ Stressful life events
- ⚠️ Past trauma
- ⚠️ Comorbid chronic illness
- ⚠️ Excessive caffeine/alcohol
- ⚠️ Perfectionist personality
Management and treatments
**First-line: CBT** (cognitive-behavioural therapy) — 10-20 sessions, > 70% effective. Adjuncts: relaxation, physical activity, sleep hygiene. **Severe**: SSRI antidepressants (paroxetine, escitalopram), hydroxyzine, pregabalin. **Benzodiazepines**: short course (< 4 weeks) only. Psychiatric consultation reimbursed 80% by CNOPS / 70% by CNSS. Free public hospitals.
Prevention
Stress management (meditation, yoga, cardiac coherence), 7-9h of sleep, 150 min/week of physical activity, limit caffeine/alcohol, social connections. Helplines: 141 SOS Amitié, 0801-000-180 ECOUTE Morocco.
Frequently asked questions
How do you tell normal anxiety from GAD?+
GAD lasts more than 6 months, with disproportionate and uncontrollable worry on various topics, impacting daily life. Normal anxiety is transient and event-linked.
Are benzodiazepines addictive?+
Yes after 2-4 weeks of continuous use. Reserved for short acute crises. Never more than 12 weeks (HAS).
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?+
Absolutely — 60% of patients first consult for physical symptoms (palpitations, digestive issues, headaches) before diagnosis.
Can I recover without medication?+
Yes — 60-70% of mild to moderate anxiety responds well to CBT alone.
📖 Detailed article
To learn more about generalized anxiety disorder, read our cornerstone medically reviewed article.
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