Mental Health Technician Certification (MHTC) Practice Exam 2025 - Free MHTC Practice Questions and Study Guide

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is defined by pervasive and excessive worry about various aspects of daily life, including but not limited to health, finances, relationships, and work. Individuals with GAD often find it challenging to control their anxiety, leading to various physical and psychological symptoms, such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. This disorder differs from other anxiety conditions, like social anxiety disorder and specific phobia, which are characterized by fear or anxiety about specific situations or objects rather than a broad range of life concerns. Acute stress disorder, on the other hand, arises in response to a specific traumatic event and presents symptoms within a short timeframe after the trauma, making it distinct from the chronic nature of generalized anxiety disorder. Thus, GAD is the type characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry across multiple life domains.