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Differentiating betweennormal everyday anxietyandgeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD)can be tricky.
Overview
Many peoplefeel anxiousfrom time to time, especially during times of stress.
Some peopledevelop GAD as a childwhile others do not see symptomsuntil they are an adult.
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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.
In most cases, it improves with medications and/or talk therapy.
Making lifestyle changes, learning coping skills, and using relaxation techniques also can help.
Anxiety Is Disproportionate
The experience of anxiety for most people is proportionate to the intensity of the situation.
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.
However, people with GAD have significant difficulty finding relaxation, calm, and time away from theirworries.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety Disorders.
- doi:10.7326/M20-0580
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
