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generalized anxiety disorder
noun
: 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
Examples of generalized anxiety disorder in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
It's estimated that approximately 7 million adults in the U.S. have generalized anxiety disorder; but only half of them receive treatment.
—Dr. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 17 Nov. 2022
The more isolation and avoidance that occurs, the worse the specific or generalized anxiety disorder can become.
—Dallas News, 23 Nov. 2022
Cannistraro, 52, has generalized anxiety disorder and has never taken medication for it.
—Lindsey Tanner, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2022
The authors showed that CBD therapies are useful for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental illnesses that lead to anxiety.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 Oct. 2022
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Word History
First Known Use
1978, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of generalized anxiety disorder was
in 1978
Dictionary Entries Near generalized anxiety disorder
Cite this Entry
“Generalized anxiety disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generalized%20anxiety%20disorder. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
generalized anxiety disorder
noun
: 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)
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