Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by which of the following?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by which of the following?

• A. Excessive anxiety or worry about numerous things lasting 6 months or longer
• B. Panic attacks with sudden onset
• C. Compulsions and repetitive behaviors
• D. Auditory or visual hallucinations.

Answer: (A)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder centers on persistent, excessive worry about many different things, not tied to a single situation. The defining feature is that this worry is difficult to control and lasts for a long period, typically at least six months, with worry that is pervasive across multiple domains (work, health, finances, daily life) and accompanied by physical or cognitive symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep problems. This combination helps clinicians distinguish GAD from normal worry. Panic attacks with sudden onset describe a different pattern—brief periods of intense fear with physical symptoms—seen in panic disorder. Compulsions and repetitive behaviors point to OCD, where actions are performed to relieve obsessive thoughts. Auditory or visual hallucinations signal possible psychosis, which is not characteristic of GAD.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder centers on persistent, excessive worry about many different things, not tied to a single situation. The defining feature is that this worry is difficult to control and lasts for a long period, typically at least six months, with worry that is pervasive across multiple domains (work, health, finances, daily life) and accompanied by physical or cognitive symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep problems. This combination helps clinicians distinguish GAD from normal worry.

Panic attacks with sudden onset describe a different pattern—brief periods of intense fear with physical symptoms—seen in panic disorder. Compulsions and repetitive behaviors point to OCD, where actions are performed to relieve obsessive thoughts. Auditory or visual hallucinations signal possible psychosis, which is not characteristic of GAD.