The following is a brief guide to determining whether generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may be something that you are struggling with. All people have some level of anxiety in their lives, which is part of being human, but when anxiety is severe, disproportionate to the situation, related to a wide variety of things, is difficult to control, and disruptive to your life, it may be more than normal anxiety.
For a more complete breakdown of GAD symptoms and diagnosis read GAD Diagnosis and the Anxiety Diagnosis Guide.
1. “Severe”
Although at times the anxiety that all people experience can be somewhat severe, a characteristic of GAD is that this anxiety is usually more intense and long-lasting. If you have more severe anxiety than most other people you know, then it may be more than normal anxiety.
2. “Disproportionate”
The experience of anxiety for most people is proportionate to the intensity of the situation. For example, if there was a very minor anxiety-provoking situation, then the experience of anxiety is typically minor as well. People with GAD tend to become more anxious than the situation appears to warrant. Therefore, if you are someone who has more severe anxiety over “things that shouldn’t be a big deal,” it may be more than normal anxiety.
3. “About Everything”
When people experience normal anxiety they tend to worry about things related to the anxiety-provoking situation, or several other things that make them fearful. 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.
4. “No Control”
Most people can reduce and control their anxiety through a variety of coping techniques and the ability to calm oneself. However, people with GAD have significant difficulty finding relaxation, calm, and time away from their worries. If you have more difficulty than other people you know in controlling your anxiety, it may be more than normal anxiety.
