Psychological& Physiological State characterized by Somatic, Emotional, Cognitive &Behavioral components

5 Common Endexoteric Contributing Factors

• Genetics

1. Genetic Expression：First degree relatives as parent, sibling or child of sBrain Structureomeone with GAD is more likely to develop mood and anxiety disorders triggered by certain environmental factors
2. Gender: Women are more prone（twice as likely) to be anxiety disorders in general
3. Age：​GAD is developed gradually, with the greatest risk between childhood and middle age, although the condition typically begins around 30 y-o 

• Brain Structure

1. Amygdala: as part of limbic system involved in the automatic fear response, as well as in the integration of memory and emotion
2. Patients with GAD: Heightened Activity within amygdala impacting inaccurate interpretations of social behaviors, which one may perceive a delusional social cue or interaction as threatening when it is not actually threatening.
3. Gray Matter: A larger/increased volume of gray matter in the 'right putamen' of people with GAD's brain was positively correlated with 'childhood maltreatment'

• Life Experiences

1. ​Experienced Trauma: Trauma in childhood such as 'physical and mental abuse', neglect(eg. left-behind children), death of a loved one, abandonment(eg. orphan, foundin), divorce or isolation(eg. confinement),etc, will leave them feeling uncertain, humiliated or apprehensive to trust others. Such negative mental experience continues performing as 'conditional reflex' as they grow up, and have them difficulty fairly interpreting threats. Any life events that result in feelings of loss, humiliation, entrapment and danger seem harmless to most, yet cause sense of emotionally dangerous and anxiety-producing to develop and lead to onset of GAD. 
2. Learned Behavior: Behavioral scientists believe anxiety is a learned behavior since early social learning experience, generally from a parent or caregiver who demonstrate anxious or less effective methods of stress mgmt. Children may tend to mirror that same anxious behaviour, which can influence the development of long-lasting anxiety.

• Societal Factors: 
• Use of social media in excess, rather than social contact in real life(i.e.those 'Homebody' or 'the Autistics') can cause people at times missing essential non-verbal cues in communication such as 'facial expressions, body language and tone', which typically trigger brain to function less effective in accurately interpreting social cues and interactions, eventually leaving them to potentially feel a heightened sense of danger or rejection, particularly loneliness, rejection, abandonment or humiliation. 
• Lifestyle Factors

1. Daily Use of Addictive Substance: Excessive quantities of consumption dependence on caffeine sources such as coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks to motivate one's productivity can cause a rising sensation of worry, restless or nervousness, contributing to the development of anxiety
2. Relationships: Dangerous and fearful experiences within intimate relationships can influence the development of anxiety. And women are twice as likely as men to develop GAD, specifically by research two factors as in 'being afraid of or humiliated by a current partner or ex-partner.

Job Stress: Can be a great source of stress and become a trigger in the development of anxiety.                                                                                                

  Ⅰ.  Some employers expect and push extraordinarily high KPI and productivity that can threaten one's sense of          

                  employment security;  

            Ⅱ.  When looking for work, you may sense the instinctual pressure from other applicants who seem highly qualified and 

                  sophisticated, causing you to feel the stress related to your ability to be afraid of being left behind or FOMO; 

            Ⅲ. The loss of a job can be a significant source/trigger of heightened anxiety

    In a nutshell, regardless of any source or anxiety-related conditions to onset with, the potential for developing anxiety into GAD      is incrementally INCREASED during periods of severe and prolonged stress.

A set of Symptom Criteria Outlined in DSM-5 for Mental Health Professionals for Diagnosing GAD reference

1. The presence of Excessive Anxiety and Worry about a variety of topics, events, or activities, at least 6mths: even when there is no specific threat present or in a manner disproportionate to the actual risk.
2. The worry is experienced as very challenging to control, easily shift from one topic to another: A high percentage of one's waking hours worrying about something; the worry may be accompanied by reassurance-seeking from others.
3. The anxiety and worry are accompanied by at least three(for adults) or one(for children) of the following physical or cognitive symptoms  as below:

• Edginess or Restlessness
• Tiring easily; more fatigued than usual
• Impaired Concentration or feeling as though out of mind(or goes blank, hollow heart)
• Irritability(which may or may not be observable to others)
• Increased Muscle Aches or Soreness
• Difficulty Sleeping/Somnipathy(trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, restlessness at night, or unsatisfying sleep)
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Diarrhea