Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common anxiety disorder that involves chronic worrying, nervousness, and tension.
Unlike a phobia, where your fear is connected to a specific thing or situation, the anxiety of generalized anxiety disorder is diffuse—a general feeling of dread or unease that colors your whole life. This anxiety is less intense than a panic attack, but much longer lasting, making normal life difficult and relaxation impossible.
If you have GAD you may worry about the same things that other people do: health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work. But you take these worries to a new level.
The difference between “normal” worrying and generalized anxiety disorder is that the worrying involved in GAD is:
excessive
intrusive
persistent
debilitating
For example, after watching a news report about a terrorist bombing in the Middle East, the average person might feel a temporary sense of unease and worry. If you have GAD, however, you might be up all night afterwards, then continue worrying for days about a worst-case scenario in which your small hometown is attacked.
GAD develops slowly. It often starts during the teen years or young adulthood. Symptoms may get better or worse at different times, and often are worse during times of stress.
When their anxiety level is mild, people with GAD can function socially and hold down a job. Although they don’t avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder, people with GAD can have difficulty carrying out the simplest daily activities if their anxiety is severe.
GAD is generally treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both.
Unlike a phobia, where your fear is connected to a specific thing or situation, the anxiety of generalized anxiety disorder is diffuse—a general feeling of dread or unease that colors your whole life. This anxiety is less intense than a panic attack, but much longer lasting, making normal life difficult and relaxation impossible.
If you have GAD you may worry about the same things that other people do: health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work. But you take these worries to a new level.
The difference between “normal” worrying and generalized anxiety disorder is that the worrying involved in GAD is:
excessive
intrusive
persistent
debilitating
For example, after watching a news report about a terrorist bombing in the Middle East, the average person might feel a temporary sense of unease and worry. If you have GAD, however, you might be up all night afterwards, then continue worrying for days about a worst-case scenario in which your small hometown is attacked.
GAD develops slowly. It often starts during the teen years or young adulthood. Symptoms may get better or worse at different times, and often are worse during times of stress.
When their anxiety level is mild, people with GAD can function socially and hold down a job. Although they don’t avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder, people with GAD can have difficulty carrying out the simplest daily activities if their anxiety is severe.
GAD is generally treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both.
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