What are 5 symptoms of GAD?

Five common symptoms of GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) are restlessness or feeling on edge, getting tired easily, trouble concentrating, irritability, and muscle tension. Sleep problems are a sixth. They sit on top of the core sign: worry that is hard to control, shows up more days than not, and has lasted at least six months.

Maybe you typed this question late at night, after another round of thinking through tomorrow's to-do list, a bill, a parent's health, and an email you're not sure you answered right. Your shoulders ache. You snap at people you love, then feel bad about it.

If that sounds familiar, you're not being dramatic, and you're not alone. This guide walks through each of the five symptoms of GAD in plain language, the sixth one people often miss, how clinicians tell GAD apart from ordinary stress, and what evidence-based therapy looks like.

Only a licensed clinician can diagnose GAD. Knowing the signs simply helps you decide whether it's time to talk to one.

What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?#

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition marked by excessive, hard-to-control worry about many everyday things, such as health, money, work, or family, more days than not for at least six months (NIMH). The worry is often out of proportion to the actual situation.

Everyone worries. The difference with GAD is that the worry doesn't stay with one real problem, and it doesn't switch off when that problem is solved. It jumps from topic to topic, and it brings physical symptoms with it.

How common is it? Based on national survey data, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about 2.7% of U.S. adults had GAD in the past year, and about 5.7% experience it at some point in their lives (NIMH). The same survey found it was more common among women than men.

Why does it matter? GAD rarely travels alone. People with GAD may also live with depression, other anxiety disorders, chronic pain, or alcohol and substance misuse, which can make treatment more complex (NIMH).

Because so many of its symptoms are physical, GAD is also easy to miss. Someone may treat headaches, stomach trouble, or poor sleep for years without anyone naming the worry underneath. For a closer look at risk factors, see our guide on what causes generalized anxiety.

Prefer to listen? This article is also a podcast episode on the MentalSpace Therapy podcast. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / your favorite platform.

The 5 Symptoms of GAD, Explained#

The five symptoms of GAD people ask about most come straight from the diagnostic criteria clinicians use. In adults, a clinician looks for at least three of six symptoms alongside the worry (NIMH). Here is what each one can look like in daily life.

1. Restlessness or feeling keyed up and on edge

Restlessness is a feeling that your body can't settle, even when nothing urgent is happening. You might pace, bounce a leg, or struggle to sit through a movie.

Many people describe it as feeling "wired," or braced for bad news that never arrives. NIMH lists feeling restless, having trouble relaxing, and feeling "on edge" among the common signs of GAD.

2. Getting tired easily

Fatigue in GAD is a worn-out feeling that rest doesn't seem to fix. Worrying all day uses real energy, and the body stays in a low-level state of alert.

Imagine someone who sleeps a full night and still feels drained by mid-morning. That kind of tiredness is easy to blame on a busy schedule, which is one reason GAD often goes unnoticed.

3. Trouble concentrating, or your mind going blank

Difficulty concentrating means your attention keeps getting pulled back to your worries. You reread the same paragraph, or you walk into a room and forget why you came.

Some people describe their mind "going blank" in meetings or conversations. Focus problems also overlap with ADHD, depression, and burnout, which is why a careful assessment matters.

4. Irritability

Irritability is a short fuse. Small things, like a slow driver or a messy counter, set you off because your nervous system is already running hot.

It can strain relationships and work. It is also easy to misread as a personality problem rather than a symptom of anxiety.

5. Muscle tension

Muscle tension is the body holding the worry. Tight shoulders, a stiff neck, a clenched jaw, and tension headaches are common.

NIMH notes that people with GAD may have headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or general tension. Many people only notice how tight they are when they finally try to relax.

The Sixth Symptom: Sleep Problems#

Sleep disturbance is the sixth symptom in the diagnostic criteria. It can mean trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, or sleep that never feels restful.

Worry tends to get louder at night, when there are fewer distractions. Poor sleep then makes fatigue, irritability, and focus problems worse the next day, so the symptoms feed one another.

Other physical signs people notice

GAD can show up in the body in ways that go beyond the core list. According to NIMH and the NHS, these can include (NHS):

• Headaches and stomach problems
• Trembling or twitching
• Sweating, lightheadedness, or feeling out of breath
• A more noticeable or unusual heartbeat (palpitations)
• Frequent trips to the bathroom

A racing heart and shortness of breath can also happen during panic attacks, which are a different experience. If you're not sure which one you're dealing with, our guide to anxiety attacks vs. panic attacks explains the difference.

Physical symptoms can also have medical causes, so it's worth checking in with a primary care provider as well.

How Clinicians Tell GAD Apart From Everyday Worry#

A GAD diagnosis depends on time, spread, and impact, not on how many worries you have. A licensed clinician uses the criteria in the DSM-5-TR, the diagnostic manual published by the American Psychiatric Association, and looks at your whole picture.

| | Everyday worry | Generalized anxiety disorder | |---|---|---| | How long | Comes and goes with a stressful event | More days than not for at least six months | | What it's about | One real problem, like a deadline | Jumps across many topics | | Control | Eases once the problem is handled | Hard to stop, even when you try | | Impact | Uncomfortable but manageable | Gets in the way of work, sleep, or relationships |

In adults, the worry has to come with at least three of the six symptoms above. A clinician also checks that the symptoms cause real distress or get in the way of daily life, and that they aren't better explained by a medical condition, a substance, or another mental health condition.

You can read more about that line between stress and a disorder in our article on when worry becomes a disorder.

What about children and teens?

The DSM-5-TR sets a lower bar for children: only one of the six symptoms is needed alongside the worry. Children and teens with GAD often worry about school, friendships, and the future, and some chase perfection as a way to manage their anxiety (NIMH).

Screening tools are a starting point, not a diagnosis

Clinicians often start with a brief questionnaire called the GAD-7, a seven-question screening tool first validated in primary care (Archives of Internal Medicine, 2006). A high score signals that a fuller evaluation makes sense. On its own, it does not mean you have GAD.

We dove deeper into this on our YouTube channel. Watch the full episode for a walkthrough of each symptom and how it tends to show up in everyday life.

How Therapy Helps With GAD Symptoms#

Psychotherapy is one of the main treatments for GAD, and several approaches have research support. NIMH notes that therapy can be effective whether it happens in person or by telehealth (NIMH).

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — the most studied therapy for GAD, which NIMH calls the "gold standard" psychotherapy choice. CBT helps you notice worry patterns, question them, and change the habits that keep them going. Learn more in our guide to cognitive behavioral therapy.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) — an approach that teaches you to make room for anxious thoughts without fighting them, while moving toward what matters to you. NIMH describes a growing body of research supporting ACT for GAD.

Applied relaxation — a structured skill for spotting early signs of tension and relaxing your body on cue. UK clinical guidelines offer CBT or applied relaxation as the high-intensity therapy options for GAD (NICE).

Some people also ask about medication. A prescriber decides whether medication belongs in the plan, based on your history, preferences, and overall health.

Treatment takes time, and what helps varies from person to person. Many people find their symptoms become more manageable as they practice new skills between sessions. For a fuller overview, see our guide to GAD symptoms, causes, and treatment.

What Therapy for GAD Looks Like at CHC#

At Coping & Healing Counseling, therapy for GAD happens by secure, HIPAA-compliant video, so you can meet with a licensed therapist from home. Our team of 15+ licensed therapists (LCSWs, LPCs, and LMFTs) serves all 159 Georgia counties.

Here's what the process usually looks like:

1. Reach out. Call (404) 832-0102 or get started online to request your first appointment.
2. First session. Your therapist asks about your worries, sleep, physical symptoms, and history, and may use a questionnaire like the GAD-7.
3. A plan you shape together. You set goals together, such as sleeping through the night or worrying less at work.
4. Skill building. Sessions focus on CBT, ACT, or relaxation skills you can practice between appointments.
5. Regular check-ins. You and your therapist review what's working and adjust the plan.

We see adults, couples, families, and teens 13 and up. Medicaid members pay a $0 copay, and we accept Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, UHC, and Humana, with copays typically $10 to $40 per session. Learn more about online therapy in Georgia.

What You Can Do This Week#

These steps don't replace an assessment, but they can help you understand your symptoms and feel a bit more in control.

• Take a free screening. Our free anxiety test uses the GAD-7 and takes about two minutes.
• Keep a two-week symptom log. Each evening, jot down your worry level, sleep, and any tension or fatigue. Patterns are easier to see on paper, and the log is useful to bring to a first session.
• Try a daily "worry time." Set aside 15 minutes to write your worries down. When one pops up outside that window, note it and come back to it later. Therapists often teach a version of this, sometimes called worry postponement.
• Protect your sleep and cut back on caffeine. The NHS suggests limiting coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks, since caffeine can disrupt sleep and make anxiety harder to manage (NHS).
• Move your body. The NHS notes that regular activity like walking, swimming, or yoga can reduce anxiety and stress and help you sleep better.

Frequently Asked Questions#

What is the main symptom of GAD?

The main symptom of GAD is excessive worry that is hard to control and happens more days than not for at least six months. The worry usually covers many topics, such as health, money, work, or family. Symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, and muscle tension come along with it.

How long do symptoms have to last for a GAD diagnosis?

For a GAD diagnosis, the worry and related symptoms need to be present more days than not for at least six months. Shorter stretches of anxiety during a stressful period are common and may not meet the criteria. A licensed clinician looks at duration, intensity, and impact before making a diagnosis.

What are the physical symptoms of GAD?

Physical symptoms of GAD can include muscle tension, fatigue, restlessness, and trouble sleeping. Many people also notice headaches, stomach problems, trembling, sweating, lightheadedness, or a pounding heartbeat. Because these signs can have medical causes too, it makes sense to check in with a primary care provider as well as a mental health professional.

Is GAD the same as panic disorder?

No. GAD involves ongoing, widespread worry and tension that lasts for months. Panic disorder involves sudden, intense panic attacks that peak within minutes, along with fear of having more attacks. Some people experience both, which is why a careful assessment by a licensed clinician helps clarify what is going on.

Can GAD get better with therapy?

Many people find their GAD symptoms become more manageable with therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most studied approach, and acceptance and commitment therapy and applied relaxation also have research support. Progress varies from person to person, and a licensed therapist can help you build a plan that fits your needs.

Can teenagers have GAD?

Yes. Children and teens can have GAD, and they often worry about school, friendships, and the future. Some try to manage anxiety by striving for perfection. For children, the diagnostic criteria require only one of the six symptoms alongside persistent, hard-to-control worry, so an evaluation by an experienced clinician matters.

When to Seek Professional Help#

Consider reaching out if worry has stuck around for weeks or months, if it's affecting your sleep, work, or relationships, or if you've tried to stop worrying and can't. You don't need to be sure it's GAD to ask for help. Sorting that out is a clinician's job.

A good first step is our Free anxiety test. It takes about two minutes and gives you a score you can bring to a first session.

When you're ready, our anxiety therapy team offers telehealth sessions across all 159 Georgia counties. Medicaid members pay a $0 copay, and we accept Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, UHC, and Humana. Call (404) 832-0102, email support@chctherapy.com, or get started online.

If you're in crisis: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Knowing the five symptoms of GAD is a good start. Talking with a licensed therapist is how you learn what they mean for you, and what could help.

References#

• National Institute of Mental Health. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control.
• National Institute of Mental Health. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (statistics).
• NHS. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management (CG113), Recommendations.
• A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2006. PubMed.

Last updated: October 22, 2026.