Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by several key features that contribute to its diagnosis and understanding. Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least six months is central to GAD, indicating that individuals experience persistent anxiety over various aspects of their lives, which can be disproportionate to the actual situation.
Difficulty controlling worry is another hallmark of GAD. Individuals often find that they cannot easily manage their anxious thoughts, leading to persistent distress that affects their daily functioning. This aspect highlights the impairment anxiety can have on a person's life and overall well-being.
Additionally, GAD is frequently accompanied by physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. These physical manifestations of anxiety further underline the debilitating nature of the disorder.
Therefore, recognizing that GAD encompasses a combination of these features—excessive worry, difficulty managing that worry, and associated physical symptoms—provides a comprehensive understanding of the disorder. This holistic view is crucial for diagnosis and effective intervention.