A disorder characterized by unrealistic or excessive anxiety, apprehensive expectations, and worry about many life circumstances (e.g., academic, athletic, or social performance). A mother may worry excessively about her child, who is in no danger. The worry is associated with symptoms such as trembling, muscle tension, restlessness, feelings of being smothered, light-headedness, insomnia, exaggerated startle response, or difficulty in concentration. The worrying is difficult to control, and with associated symptoms, often social or occupational functioning is impaired.
When it occurs in children, gad is termed overanxious disorder. Symptoms include multiple unrealistic anxieties concerning the quality of one’s performance in school, at work, or in sports, and of one’s health or appearance, accompanied by the need to be reassured.
A DSM-IIl-R term for anxiety neurosis.
A mental disorder whose primary characteristic is an all-pervasive, free-floating anxiety. Formerly called anxiety neurosis (reaction).
Excessive anxiety and worry predominating for at least 6 months. Restlessness, easy fatigability, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and disturbed sleep may be present. Adults with this disorder often worry about everyday, routine circumstances such as job responsibilities, finances, the health of family members, misfortune to their children, or minor matters such as being late or completing household chores. Frequently they experience cold, clammy hands; dry mouth; sweating; nausea or diarrhea; urinary frequency; trouble swallowing or a “lump in the throat”; an exaggerated startle response; or depressive symptoms. The intensity, duration, or frequency of the anxiety and worry is far out of proportion to the actual likelihood or impact of the feared event.
An anxiety disorder characterized by excessive uncontrollable anxiety and worry that persists for at least 6 months and causes clinically significant distress or impairment.
A psychiatric illness characterized by chronic and persistent apprehension and tension that has no particular focus. There may also be various physical symptoms such as trembling, sweating, lightheadedness, and irritability.
This condition can be managed with treatments like psychotherapy or antidepressants, or with medications such as beta blockers or sedatives, which alleviate symptoms but do not address the root cause of the condition.