GAD is an anxiety disorder that has excessive worry as its main symptom. People with GAD have “what if?” thoughts most of the day, and these worries are typically about daily life events (e.g., worries about punctuality, work/school, family/relationships, health, and the health of loved ones). People with GAD tend to worry about the same things that other people do, however they worry more, more often, and have a harder time controlling their worries.
GAD is a chronic condition, that is, most people with GAD describe having been “worriers” their whole lives. Physical symptoms associated with GAD include:
- feelings of restlessness, being keyed up, on edge
- irritability
- fatigue
- concentration difficulties
- muscle tension
- sleep problems (e.g., difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or restless sleep)
Everyone worries from time to time, and this is normal. People with GAD however feel as if they are always “in their head”, and have a hard time enjoying their lives as they are constantly worried about negative events in the future. Although it is not uncommon for people with GAD to have successful lives (e.g., friends, family, career), they will often describe feeling melancholy, exhausted, and demoralized in their daily lives.
