What are the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder?

The main symptom is excessive worry about many things that has lasted at least six months and is hard to control. It comes with at least three symptoms such as restlessness, getting tired easily, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and sleep problems. A mental health professional makes the diagnosis.

Is it normal to worry all the time?

Worrying from time to time is normal. But if worry has been present almost every day for months, jumps from one topic to another, feels uncontrollable and affects daily life, it's a good idea to talk to a professional about generalized anxiety disorder.

Does generalized anxiety disorder go away?

Generalized anxiety disorder can be worked on with psychotherapies such as CBT and, when needed, medication. Many people notice significant relief as they learn skills for coping with worry; the process varies from person to person.

What is the difference between generalized anxiety and panic disorder?

In generalized anxiety there's an ongoing state of worry throughout the day that spreads to many topics. In panic disorder, sudden and intense panic attacks and worry about having another attack are central. The two can also occur together.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Symptoms: Is Constant Worry Normal?

One worry hasn't finished before the next one starts: work, health, family, money, the future… If you describe yourself as "I've always been like this; I worry all the time", this article may help you put a name to what you're experiencing. Everyone worries sometimes; so when does worry become a problem?

What is generalized anxiety disorder?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is excessive, hard-to-control and long-lasting worry about many different things. The diagnostic criteria used by mental health professionals (DSM-5) roughly look at the following:

Worry and anxiety have been present on most days for at least 6 months.
The worry spreads to more than one area (such as work, school, health, family or money).
The person finds it hard to control the worry.
At least three of these symptoms are present: restlessness or feeling on edge, getting tired easily, difficulty concentrating or the mind going blank, irritability, muscle tension, sleep problems.
It causes significant distress or affects daily life.

Only a mental health professional can make a definitive diagnosis; this list is to help you understand yourself better.

What is the difference between normal worry and generalized anxiety?

Normal worry is tied to a specific problem and fades once the problem is resolved; in generalized anxiety, worry jumps from one topic to another, is out of proportion and is hard to control.

Feature	Normal worry	Generalized anxiety
Topic	A specific, real problem	Many topics; when one ends, another begins
Duration	Fades once the problem passes	Lasts for months, on most days
Control	You can take a break from it	Very hard to stop
Body	Usually mild	Tension, fatigue, sleep problems
Impact on life	Limited	Clearly affects work, relationships and rest

What is the difference between generalized anxiety and a phobia?

In a phobia, fear focuses on a specific object or situation (such as elevators, planes or dogs) and usually eases once you move away from it. In generalized anxiety, worry isn't tied to anything specific; it moves between different topics throughout the day. The two can also occur together. We explain the difference between a phobia and normal fear in our article phobia or normal fear.

What are the symptoms of generalized anxiety?

Mental: Constant "what if" thoughts, imagining the worst-case scenario, difficulty making decisions, intolerance of uncertainty
Bodily: Muscle tension (especially in the neck, shoulders and jaw), headaches, fatigue, stomach problems, trouble falling asleep
Behavioral: Over-planning everything, constantly seeking reassurance, procrastinating, avoiding uncertain situations

How can you cope with generalized anxiety?

The foundation of coping with generalized anxiety is changing your relationship with worry, increasing your tolerance of uncertainty and regularly calming your body.

1. Limit worry by postponing it

Set aside a 15–20 minute "worry time" at a fixed time each day. Note down worries that come up during the day and postpone them until then. We also mention this technique in our article on nighttime anxiety and overthinking.

2. Separate solvable and unsolvable worries

"Is there anything I can do about this right now?" If yes, plan a small step; if not, notice the worry and gently bring your attention back to the present.

3. Question your thoughts

Ask your "what if" thoughts: What's the most likely outcome? If the worst happened, how would I cope? Is this thought a fact or a prediction? For more, see our article on thinking traps.

4. Run small experiments with uncertainty

Reduce your need to control everything in small steps: checking an email once instead of three times before sending it, or trying a restaurant without reading its reviews. Experiencing that you can tolerate uncertainty reduces anxiety.

5. Calm your body regularly

Slow breathing, regular physical activity, enough sleep and cutting down on caffeine can help lower your body's level of tension.

When should you seek professional help?

If worry has lasted for months, affects your work, relationships and sleep, or if you feel tense and tired all day, it's a good idea to see a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. CBT is one of the main research-backed approaches for generalized anxiety disorder; in some cases a doctor may also consider medication. If you have thoughts of hopelessness or self-harm, seek support without waiting; in an emergency, call your local emergency number.

In short

Generalized anxiety disorder is excessive, hard-to-control worry about many things that has lasted at least six months.
Unlike a phobia, the worry isn't tied to a specific situation and jumps from topic to topic throughout the day.
Worry time, questioning thoughts, small experiments with uncertainty and professional support are the core steps.