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Differentiating betweennormal everyday anxietyandgeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD)can be tricky. How do you know, especially if you are a little more anxious than others, whether or not your anxiety is significant enough to qualify as a disorder?OverviewMany peoplefeel anxiousfrom time to time, especially during times of stress. However, when you worry excessively, so much so that it interferes with day-to-day activities, you might have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).Some peopledevelop GAD as a childwhile others do not see symptomsuntil they are an adult. Either way, living with GAD can last a long time. In many cases, it occurs along with other anxiety or mood disorders. GAD is around twice as common in women as in men. Because anxiety affects women at a greater rate, experts recommend routine anxiety screening for women and girls aged 13 and older.Anxiety can grow worse over time and have a serious impact on a person’s ability to function normally, which is why treatment is so important. In most cases, it improves with medications and/or ​talk therapy. Making lifestyle changes, learning coping skills, and using relaxation techniques also can help.Symptoms of GADGAD symptoms can include:Carrying every option in a situation all the way out to its possible negative conclusionDifficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind “goes blank"Difficulty handling uncertainty or indecisivenessDistress about making decisions for fear of making the wrong decisionInability to relax, restlessness, and feeling keyed up or on edgeInability to set aside or let go of a worryPersistent worrying or obsession with small or large concerns that’s out of proportion to the impact of the eventWorrying about excessively worryingPhysical signs and symptoms may include:Being easily startledFatigueHeadachesIrritabilityMemory problemsMuscle tension or muscle achesNausea, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndromeSweatingTrembling, feeling twitchyTrouble sleepingGAD Symptoms and DiagnosisDo You Have an Anxiety Disorder?The following is a brief guide to determining whether generalized anxiety disorder may be something that you are struggling with.1. Anxiety Is SevereAlthough at times the anxiety that all people experience can be somewhat severe, a characteristic of GAD is that this anxiety is usually more intense and long-lasting. If you have more severe anxiety than most other people you know, then it may be more than “normal” anxiety.2. Anxiety Is DisproportionateThe experience of anxiety for most people is proportionate to the intensity of the situation. For example, if there was a minor anxiety-provoking situation, then the experience of anxiety is typically minor as well.People with GAD, on the other hand, tend to become more anxious than the situation appears to warrant. If you are someone who has more severe anxiety over “things that shouldn’t be a big deal,” it may be more than normal anxiety.How to Stop Worrying so Much3. You Are Anxious About EverythingWhen people experience normal anxiety, they tend to worry about things related to the anxiety-provoking situation or several other things that make them fearful. People with GAD tend to be described as “worrying about everything all the time.” If that describes you, it may be more than normal anxiety.4. You Have No Control Over AnxietyMost people can reduce and control their anxiety through a variety of coping techniques and have the ability to calm themselves. However, people with GAD have significant difficulty finding relaxation, calm, and time away from theirworries. If you have more difficulty than other people you know in controlling your anxiety, it may be more than normal anxiety.If you or a loved one are struggling with excessive anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.The Best Online Anxiety Support Groups

Differentiating betweennormal everyday anxietyandgeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD)can be tricky. How do you know, especially if you are a little more anxious than others, whether or not your anxiety is significant enough to qualify as a disorder?

Overview

Many peoplefeel anxiousfrom time to time, especially during times of stress. However, when you worry excessively, so much so that it interferes with day-to-day activities, you might have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Some peopledevelop GAD as a childwhile others do not see symptomsuntil they are an adult. Either way, living with GAD can last a long time. In many cases, it occurs along with other anxiety or mood disorders. GAD is around twice as common in women as in men. Because anxiety affects women at a greater rate, experts recommend routine anxiety screening for women and girls aged 13 and older.

Anxiety can grow worse over time and have a serious impact on a person’s ability to function normally, which is why treatment is so important. In most cases, it improves with medications and/or ​talk therapy. Making lifestyle changes, learning coping skills, and using relaxation techniques also can help.

Symptoms of GAD

GAD symptoms can include:

Physical signs and symptoms may include:

GAD Symptoms and Diagnosis

Do You Have an Anxiety Disorder?

The following is a brief guide to determining whether generalized anxiety disorder may be something that you are struggling with.

1. Anxiety Is Severe

Although at times the anxiety that all people experience can be somewhat severe, a characteristic of GAD is that this anxiety is usually more intense and long-lasting. If you have more severe anxiety than most other people you know, then it may be more than “normal” anxiety.

2. Anxiety Is Disproportionate

The experience of anxiety for most people is proportionate to the intensity of the situation. For example, if there was a minor anxiety-provoking situation, then the experience of anxiety is typically minor as well.

People with GAD, on the other hand, tend to become more anxious than the situation appears to warrant. If you are someone who has more severe anxiety over “things that shouldn’t be a big deal,” it may be more than normal anxiety.

How to Stop Worrying so Much

3. You Are Anxious About Everything

When people experience normal anxiety, they tend to worry about things related to the anxiety-provoking situation or several other things that make them fearful. People with GAD tend to be described as “worrying about everything all the time.” If that describes you, it may be more than normal anxiety.

4. You Have No Control Over Anxiety

Most people can reduce and control their anxiety through a variety of coping techniques and have the ability to calm themselves. However, people with GAD have significant difficulty finding relaxation, calm, and time away from theirworries. If you have more difficulty than other people you know in controlling your anxiety, it may be more than normal anxiety.

If you or a loved one are struggling with excessive anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with excessive anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

The Best Online Anxiety Support Groups

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety Disorders. Revised July 2018.Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety Disorders. Revised July 2018.Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety Disorders. Revised July 2018.Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety Disorders. Revised July 2018.

Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

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