General anxiety disorder

General anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about everyday things. The frequency, intensity, and duration of the worry are disproportionate to the actual source of worry, and such worry often interferes with daily functioning.

GAD sufferers often worry excessively over things such as their job, their finances, or the health of themselves and their family. However, GAD sufferers can also worry over more minor matters such as deadlines for appointments, keeping the house clean, and whether or not their workspace is properly organized.

For a diagnosis of GAD to be made, worry about a number of events or activities must be present more days than not for at least six months. In addition, three or more of the following six physical/somatic symptoms must be present: restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating or mind going blank, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms must cause clinically significant interference and/or distress, and must not be better accounted for by another disorder.