Question: Can Child Abuse Cause Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Answer: There is still limited empirical (research) information on this, but many therapists and mental health professionals believe it is possible. A recent study published in the journal Emotion concluded that early abuse can change a child's cognitive processing of information and makes him/her more sensitive to cues of anger. It is unclear if this style stays with people as they age or if it changes again, but it may hold some clues on why adults with GAD tend to worry and are sensitive to anger and fear related environmental information.
