Top 5 Ways To Differentiate 'Normal Anxiety' from GAD

One question that people may have, especially if they run a little more anxious than others, is whether or not their anxiety is significant enough to qualify as a disorder.

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.

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.

5. “Disruptive”
The experience of anxiety is not pleasant for anyone. However, people with GAD often have significant disruptions in their lives due to worrying. It can affect one’s employment, school, social/family life, physical health, cognitive ability, and a variety of other things. If your life continues to be disrupted due to anxiety, then it might be more than normal anxiety.

If most of these things describe you, then it is worth getting more information on GAD to see if the descriptions fit you. If they do, it may be worth a visit to a professional treatment provider to get further information.