What is a key feature of generalized anxiety disorder?

A key feature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is excessive worry. Individuals with GAD experience chronic and persistent worry about various aspects of their lives, such as health, work, and social interactions, often anticipating worst-case scenarios. This worry is disproportionate to the actual situation and can be difficult for individuals to control, leading to significant distress and impairment in functioning.

In contrast, obsessive thoughts are more characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) rather than GAD. Panic attacks are typically associated with panic disorder, where individuals experience sudden and intense episodes of fear. Histrionic behavior is related to histrionic personality disorder, which focuses more on emotionality and attention-seeking rather than the pervasive anxiety seen in GAD. Therefore, excessive worry distinctly defines the experience of those with generalized anxiety disorder, making it a central component of the condition.