What characterizes Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is primarily characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, and social interactions. Unlike occasional worries that are normal for many people, the anxiety associated with GAD is chronic and can fluctuate in intensity, but it often persists across different situations and does not focus on any specific threat. This pervasive worry can lead to significant distress and interfere with daily functioning.

The other options describe different emotional states or disorders that do not align with the core features of GAD. Feeling happy and carefree would be the opposite of what individuals with GAD experience. Panic attacks can occur in different anxiety disorders, particularly Panic Disorder, but are not a defining characteristic of GAD. Social withdrawal might be a symptom of various anxiety struggles, but it is not exclusive to GAD and does not encompass the breadth of worries that define this disorder. Thus, chronic worry encompassing various life domains is what truly characterizes GAD.