generalized anxiety disorder

noun

Updated on: 5 Apr 2018

Definition of generalized anxiety disorder

: 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

Recent Examples of generalized anxiety disorder from the Web

Anxiety disorders There are a number of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder, among others.

— ginger christ, cleveland.com, "Kevin Love 'brave' voice for those living with mental illness, panic disorders," 7 Mar. 2018
Some evidence suggests patients with generalized anxiety disorders may benefit from floating.

— nathaniel morris, Washington Post, "My patients said floating in a sensory deprivation tank was healing. So I tried it.," 21 Jan. 2018
Cymbalta, which is prescribed for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, earned its blockbuster title almost five times over in 2012, bringing in nearly $5 billion to developer Eli Lilly.

— john ericson, Newsweek, "'A Pill for Every Ill'," 6 Feb. 2014
My generalized anxiety disorder feeds on inactivity.

— jamie friedlander, The Cut, "Can Journaling Be a Substitute for Therapy?," 23 Feb. 2018
Affecting over 40 million adults in the U.S., there are various types of anxiety disorders ,including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias.

— NBC News, "A look at how anxiety affects African-Americans," 31 Jan. 2018
Researchers concluded in 2011 that African-Americans who suffered racial discrimination were more likely to suffer generalized anxiety disorder, González noted.

— peggy o’hare, San Antonio Express-News, "Prejudice, stereotypes take emotional and physical toll," 6 Jan. 2018
The most common disorders in youngsters are separation anxiety, social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder.

— andrea petersen, WSJ, "The Right Way for Parents to Help Anxious Children," 8 Dec. 2017
Disorders of anxiety and fear include phobias, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, PTSD and obsessive compulsive disorder.

— arash javanbakht and linda saab, Smithsonian, "What Happens in the Brain When We Feel Fear," 28 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'generalized anxiety disorder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of generalized anxiety disorder

1978

Medical Dictionary

generalized anxiety disorder

noun

medical Definition of generalized anxiety disorder

: 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)