What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder – GAD?
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday things.
People with the disorder, which is also referred to as GAD, experience exaggerated worry and tension, often expecting the worst, even when there is no apparent reason for concern. They anticipate disaster and are overly concerned about money, health, family, work, or other issues.
GAD is a typical anxiety disorder that affects older adults.
Anxiety under this category may be a symptom of a medical and/or substance abuse problem and is usually diagnosed when a person worries excessively about a variety of everyday problems for at least six months.
Before a diagnosis can be made, physicians rule out drug-induced anxiety.