Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry or anxiety about various aspects of life. This includes worrying about everyday situations, such as work, school, health, and relationships.
A related term to generalized anxiety disorder where individuals experience sudden and intense episodes of panic accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath.
A therapeutic approach that helps individuals with GAD identify their negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive and realistic ones.