Which disorder is characterized by chronic, unrealistic, excessive anxiety and worry?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by chronic, unrealistic, and excessive anxiety and worry that persists for an extended period, often for six months or more. Individuals with GAD find it difficult to control their worry about various aspects of life, such as health, relationships, work, and finances. This worrying is disproportionate to the actual events or situations and can lead to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.

The nature of the worry in GAD is pervasive and not limited to specific situations or objects, which differentiates it from other anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, specific phobia, and social anxiety disorder. In panic disorder, individuals experience recurrent panic attacks, while specific phobia involves intense fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation. Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a fear of social situations where one might be judged or embarrassed. Unlike these disorders, GAD encompasses a broader scope of anxiety that is chronic and not tied to specific triggers, making it a unique and often more debilitating condition.