generalized anxiety disorder

noun

: an anxiety disorder marked by chronic excessive anxiety and worry that is difficult to control, causes distress or impairment in daily functioning, and is accompanied by three or more associated symptoms (such as restlessness, irritability, poor concentration, and sleep disturbances)

—abbreviation GAD

Examples of generalized anxiety disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It's estimated that approximately 7 million adults in the U.S. have generalized anxiety disorder; but only half of them receive treatment. —Dr. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 17 Nov. 2022

The more isolation and avoidance that occurs, the worse the specific or generalized anxiety disorder can become. —Dallas News, 23 Nov. 2022

Cannistraro, 52, has generalized anxiety disorder and has never taken medication for it. —Lindsey Tanner, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2022

The authors showed that CBD therapies are useful for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental illnesses that lead to anxiety. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 Oct. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

generalized anxiety disorder

noun

: an anxiety disorder marked by chronic excessive anxiety and worry that is difficult to control, causes distress or impairment in daily functioning, and is accompanied by three or more associated symptoms (as restlessness, irritability, poor concentration, and sleep disturbances)